Montgomery Parents July 2016 by KeepSharing

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Together makes us happier, stronger, better. That’s why Baptist South has opened a brand new clinic that brings the best names in healthcare together. Nurses and staff from Baptist South will join specially trained doctors from UAB to offer advanced care in many specialties. It’s a partnership that’s going to make everyone better, including you. Call today and make an appointment at the new UAB clinic. Let’s get you better, together.

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The Dreaded Summer Cold A few days before you head to the beach, the mountains, or Disney World, your little one gets a runny nose, hacking cough and a few loose stools. Next day, just as you are packing the car, fever with a rash starts. Chances are your child has a “Dreaded Summer Cold”. Bad timing! Those symptoms should be in the short dreary days of winter not the happy summertime on vacation. Summer colds don’t get much attention, but the National Institute of Health estimates that 10 to 15 million illnesses are caused yearly by the summer cold virus. Everybody’s grandmother knows summer colds are worse and last longer than winter colds. I had doubts about grandmother’s opinion until I looked into it several years ago and found that grandmother was correct. The symptoms of a summer cold are surprising. You expect runny noses with a cold, but in summer you may also get fever, nausea, diarrhea, achy body, and occasionally a rash. While winter colds last 7-10 days, summer colds can last weeks and often relapse. The winter cold virus is likely to be rhinovirus, coronavirus or a picornavirus. The summer cold virus, that thrives in warm weather from June to October, is different, an enterovirus. All

occur throughout the year and experts are not sure why one or the other predominates in their respective times of year. All these viruses spread rapidly in large groups of people, such as airports, sporting events, schools, and daycares. All colds are caused by direct contact with infected nasal mucus, but the sneaky enterovirus can also be spread by the fecal-oral route from changing dirty diapers on the fold down changing table or door knobs at home or in a public bathroom. Colds are often mistaken for allergies. Clear nasal mucus lasting 10 days or more with puffy eyelids and blood shot eyes is more likely to be a seasonal allergy. Green nasal mucus, hacking cough, diarrhea, fever and skin rash indicate a summer cold.

Prevention of the summer cold

1. Wash hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are not as effective against viruses, but are better than nothing. 2. Wipe off items used by others before using. Phones are known to carry a heavy load of germs as are TV remotes, especially in hotel rooms. 3. Encourage fluids to maintain hydration, provide plenty of fruits and veggies and maintain bedtime routines as closely as possible.

4. Keep little fingers out of their noses. (Good luck on that!) 5. Most obviously, stay away from sick people. If your child is in daycare or summer camps, just pray and hope for the best.

What can you do for a summer cold?

The same things you can do for a cold in the winter--drink fluids, rest, give Tylenol or Advil, and gargle with warm salt water. Saline nose drops and suction may help as can Grandmother’s chicken soup. For mild symptoms in a child over 2 years old, cold medicines can be used, but realize they only help with symptoms, and won’t cure a cold. If the cough gets worse and is keeping you or your child up at night or the fever lasts more than 2-3 days, see a doctor. Exercise will not help “sweat it out”. In fact, it can make a summer cold worse. Do not go to the pediatrician to get an antibiotic. Antibiotics will not defeat a cold virus in winter nor summer and can cause increased antibiotic resistant in germs! Dr. Allen White earned his medical degree in 1969 from Kentucky Medical School, Lexington, and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He began his private practice of pediatric medicine with an office in the Goode Medical Building of Jackson Hospital before moving to the Carmichael Road location in 1986. He and his wife, Diana, have 3 sons. For pleasure, Dr. White enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

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Creating Community During the 2015 – 2016 school year, Montgomery Public Schools researched the possibility of designing and crafting fullservice community schools within a feeder pattern of elementary, middle and high schools. The concept seemed to be a perfect fit to the district’s mission of engaging, educating and inspiring students to be successful in college, career and beyond. There were no mysteries within the community schools concept-- simply the excitement of planning for schools to really open up to communities and for communities to come into the schools. The Coalition for Community Schools liken them to smart phones – they connect, collaborate, and create. When done well, it places a myriad of community services on campuses to support students

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

and parents. The Coalition suggests a major benefit is that “communities and schools are able to leverage their shared physical and human assets to help kids succeed”. What has happened has been phenomenal – especially at two of our elementary schools! Colleges, health and social services and businesses declared partnership intentions and commitments beyond expectation. These schools are fast finding their niche and working to become full service facilities. Each began with after-school programs that gave students an array of academic and recreational experiences. Tutoring, golf, engineering, chess, poetry, and Zumba were just a few of the activities. The summer expanded the enrichment programs to more students at the elementary sites. Schools are focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) themes. MPS high school tutors and work-study tutors from ASU make up a large portion of the community engagement. The lessons are project-based and again the academic and enrichment components focus on strengthening student knowledge and skills

for reading, math, and social-emotional development; swimming, culinary arts and robotics were added to the summer activities line-up. These are just the beginnings of the concept that will eventually see these schools as centers of the community; hubs where everyone can participate in worthwhile and healthy events, all day, every day, evenings and week-ends. There is still work to be done and partnerships to be secured, but we are working to enable students to be ready to enter school and attend school every day; involving families in their children’s education; students experiencing great success academically as they engage with their families and the community; students living and learning in safe, supportive environments; and communities as desirable places to live. We are excited about this opportunity to create community! Allen began working for Montgomery Public Schools as a special education teacher in 1976. She holds administrative certification from Alabama State University, a masters of arts in early childhood, a masters of arts in early childhood/handicapped, and a bachelor’s of science in elementary education and special education – all from Auburn University Montgomery.

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Macon East Academy is an independent, college preparatory school, committed to providing students with a safe, nurturing environment that promotes academic achievement, patriotism, and belief in God through Christian values. Our accelerated curriculum is complemented by offerings in performing and visual arts, music, foreign language, and over 20 interscholastic sports, as well as a 1:1 Apple iPad program for students in grades K5 - 12. At Macon East, our students are held to high standards in all areas of student life, and Christian values are reinforced throughout all school programs. Small class sizes and a safe, nurturing environment give every student the opportunity to excel. Macon East is more than a school; we are a family. Schedule a campus tour today, and find out why Macon East is the right school for your student.

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Montgomery County Schools

Academy’s Class of 2016 Earns More than $9.5 Million in Merit Scholarships

The Class of 2016 of The Montgomery Academy claims numerous accomplishments in the classroom, in the arts, in the sports arena, and in the community. Comprised of 69 students, the Senior Class celebrates the recognition of 28 students in the National Merit Scholarship Program and the Advanced Placement Scholars Program. Since joining the Upper School in Fall 2012, members of this class have played key roles in interscholastic athletics, capturing 15 State Championships, while at the same time contributing to the Speech & Debate program’s recognition by the National Speech & Debate Association as being in the top 1% in the nation and one of the top Choral Music programs in the United States. With acceptances to 88 institutions of higher learning, 58 students in the Senior Class have been offered $9,554,500 in merit-based scholarship money, an amount which does not include financial aid or need-based scholarships.

ACA Elementary Grows Successful Garden

Service to others and plant life discovery have been goals set at Alabama Christian Academy Elementary. Over the last few months, students have planted and grown vegetables including beans, potatoes, cucumbers and green peppers. More than 250 pounds of vegetation have been donated to the Montgomery Area Food Bank since this fall.

Holy Cross Episcopal School Receives Top Award

Holy Cross Episcopal School was visited recently by Ronald McDonald, who presented the school with a trophy and plaque for being recognized as the Overall Winner and the Top Private School Winner of the Pop Tab Pandemonium Contest supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. This contest helps provide a “home away from home” for families when they must stay in Birmingham for a child’s medical care. Holy Cross students collected and submitted more than five pounds of pop tabs per student. Ann Takacs’s second-grade class, who collected the most pop tabs with the help of classmate Jacob Kendall, received a popsicle party for their dedication to this project.

Evangel Names Mr. and Miss ECA

Forest Avenue PTA Hosts Spirit Night

Evangel Christian Academy named the school’s 2016 Mr. and Miss ECA during the High School Awards Day ceremony. Tori Temple and Jordan Cartee were chosen for this distinguished honor. The two seniors were chosen by the faculty and student body because of their Christian testimonies as well as their academic and leadership skills. Both students have attended ECA since kindergarten. Montgomery Parents I July 2016

To celebrate the successful completion of another school year, the Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School PTA hosted a Spirit Night at Rockin’ Jump on May 24. FAAM students were offered two hours of jump time at a discounted price. For each jumper, Rockin’ Jump donated $5 to FAAM. More than 130 students participated in the event. 16

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Montgomery County Schools

Holy Cross Student Receives Award

Every year as graduation draws near at Holy Cross Episcopal School, sixth-grade graduates wonder who will receive the school’s most prestigious award. Named for long-time principal Melanie Kelley, this award is given to the graduate who best exemplifies, by his or her scholarship, character, leadership and service, the spirit of Holy Cross School. This year’s recipient is Emily Grace Holston, daughter of Greg and Jo-Ann Holston. A student at Holy Cross since first grade, Holston has been described as a kind, nurturing student who worked hard, cared for her fellow students, and encouraged her class to work together.

Evangel’s Senior Class Graduates

Evangel Christian Academy’s graduation ceremony was held on May 20. Parents, faculty and friends gathered together to mark this milestone in the students’ lives. Michael Rippy, senior pastor of Evangel Church and president of ECA, addressed the students and their guests. Valedictorian for the graduating class was Tori Temple and salutatorian was Jordan Cartee. During the ceremony, a video presentation highlighted each graduate’s life. After the video, the graduates presented roses to their parents. Then a reception was held in the students’ honor.

Summer Tutoring at Success Unlimited Academy

Tutoring is in full swing at Success Unlimited Academy. If you are interested in tutoring to keep your child’s skills sharp during the summer months, call the school office at 213-0803 for details. The Tutoring Center employees are caring teachers that have a proven track record of success.

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Catholic Names 2016 Harbin Award Winner

Kevin Ryan was honored by Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School as the 2016 Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award winner for his service to the school. The Harbin Award was established by the Harbin family and is awarded by the school to recognize those selfless individuals who have significantly served Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School and exemplified its values in their lives. Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar presented Ryan with an engraved clock, kicking off the 2016 Montgomery Catholic High School Campus Academic Awards. Ryan has been actively involved at Montgomery Catholic for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Class of 1968, attending Queen of Mercy and then Catholic High from grades 7-11, but missed his senior year when his father was transferred with the military. Ryan and his wife Kathy returned to Montgomery in the late 1970s where they became active members at Holy Spirit. They chose Catholic education for their three children: Kyle ’99, Kristen ’99 and Katy ’00 who all attended St. Bede and then graduated from Montgomery Catholic. Ryan’s service to the MCPS community began in the late 1980s. He served as a PTC member, Booster Club member, as chairman of the school board and on numerous committees, he was a Legislative Convention and Clean-Up Day volunteer, acted as the school basketball, soccer, JV and varsity football announcer, volunteered to set up for athletic events and was always willing to help set up sound for events. Even though his children have graduated, Ryan continues to assist the athletic department, serving as a football announcer for the Knights and even as part of the graduation sound system team each year. After retiring from a lifelong career in computer systems, Ryan acted as the Faith Formation coordinator at Holy Spirit from 2005 until his retirement in 2012. His presence, positive attitude, and willingness to help are an inspiration and good example for all. Ryan is the twentieth individual to receive the Harbin Award. He is shown with his wife Kathy and daughter Kristen ‘99.

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Alabama Christian Cheerleaders Win at UCA Camp

Alabama Christian Academy varsity and junior high cheerleaders attend UCA Cheer Camp in Panama City in early June. Varsity left with first place in extreme routine, third place sideline, and all gold superior ribbons. Junior high placed first in extreme, first place in cheer, and second place overall game day. The girls also received two gold superior ribbons and one blue ribbon. Cheerleaders Aly Nixon, Payton Smithee, Mattie Davis, Kaitlin Tatum, Madison Parker, Lexie Lorentson and mascot Rex Smith were selected for the All-American Team.

Academy Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tennis Team Wins Sixth Consecutive State Championship

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The Montgomery Academy boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tennis team won its sixth straight state championship and 15th out of the last 20 years by dominating the State Tournament. MA won eight of the nine positions in easily outdistancing the second-place team, Altamont of Birmingham, 61-26. Led by seniors Bo Torbert, Allen Millsap and Clayton Muller, the Eagles posted a 34-3 season record. The three seniors end their MA career with six team championships and 25 individual titles between them. Bo Torbert, James Torbert, Clayton Muller, Allen Millsap, Wyatt Davidson, William Robertson and Camp Spain won individual state championships while Will Peeples, Dallon Wallis, Alec Chandler and Hamilton Chapman provided crucial support and wins during the season. This team was known for its talent, intensity and sportsmanship.

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Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Saint James School’s Wascher Named Speech & Debate Champion

The Saint James School Speech and Debate Team took eight qualifiers to the National Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah, recently. Friday evening, Bradley Wascher took first place; he was named the National Champion for Extemporaneous Commentary. Wascher competed with 250 other students from across the country, those who are respected as the very best-of-the-best in their events. In Extemporaneous Commentary, the speaker is given a prompt, typically related to current events or pop culture, and then is provided 20 minutes to prepare a five-minute speech. In his winning speech, Wascher spoke about Mothers Against Drunk Driving. As a strong competitor on the Saint James team, Wascher has worked under the direction of the Saint James Speech and Debate Coach, Dr. Ian Turnipseed. “I am very proud of Bradley’s accomplishment,” Turnipseed said. “He is an amazing example of how hard work and dedication produce results. I am glad that Saint James School offers him and every student these opportunities and look forward to seeing other students follow in his footsteps, to hopefully similar results!” Saint James is the first school in Alabama to earn a National Speech and Debate Championship title in over a decade. “I’m glad to be able to finally bring back a national title to Saint James School and the state of Alabama,” said Wascher. “It has truly been an honor to represent my school these past few years.” Wascher will attend Western Kentucky University in the fall; WKU is home of the top-ranked college Speech and Debate team in the country. While competition is fierce, Saint James students consistently make their mark among their national peers. Rising sophomore Salena Bulls from Saint James was named a Semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking at the National Tournament. Speech and Debate is a structured forum for high school and college students to have a voice in an array of public issues. In this environment, the students gain research, presentation and speaking skills that transition seamlessly into real-world expertise. The Saint James School Speech and Debate Team has enjoyed great success in recent years – sending several of its members to universities across the country with significant scholarships. From left are Speech and Debate Team members in Salt Lake City for National Tournament: Henry Olree, Olivia White, Bradley Wascher, Dr. Ian Turnipseed, Erika Aho, Salena Bulls, and Philip Goodwyn. Jacob Cannon and Cassidy Duncan are in front.

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Montgomery County Schools

Forest Avenue Student Wins Spelling Bee Recognition

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School fourth-grader Jordan de Jesus was recently recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Education for winning second place at the 2016 Montgomery County Spelling Bee. There were 19 participants, including nine elementary and 10 middle school students. The group dwindled to three spellers in the eleventh round. By round 17, only de Jesus and an eighthgrader remained. The pair went headto-head for 12 more rounds before the eighthgrader was declared the winner. Jordanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older sister, Jami, won the contest last year.

Trinity Graduates Named National Speech & Debate Academic All Americans

Recent Trinity Presbyterian School graduates Sydney Snowden and Jake Hemmings were named National Speech and Debate Association Academic All Americans. In order to receive the distinction of All American, both students earned the degree of Superior Distinction (750 points), earned a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), received an ACT score of 27 or higher, or SAT combined score of either 1330 on 1600 scale or 2000 on 2400 scale, and demonstrated outstanding character and leadership. The top students in the country each year are named All Americans. The All American award is based on a combination of competitive and service points, of which no more than 25% of the point total can include service. In order to qualify, a student must have competed once at Nationals. Following the National Speech & Debate Tournament, the 25 students with the highest total points in our Honor Society receive this recognition. Snowden will attend SMU on the prestigious Hunt Scholarship, which was awarded to only 22 students out of 700 applicants. Hemmings will attend the Honors College at the University of Alabama in the fall.

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Success Unlimited Celebrates End of Year

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Success Unlimited Academy completed its 2015-16 school year on May 19 with a faculty luncheon and wrap-up session. Executive Assistant Peggy Henderson started the festivities by presenting a slideshow highlighting events from the school year. Headmaster Susan Alred thanked her staff for an incredible year and read a personalized poem that shared her reflections and thoughts. As a culminating activity, Alred then recognized each teacher with an “Academy Award” representing the special role each played this school year. Teacher of the Year awards were presented to K-8 teacher Sharon Turman and 9-12 teacher Julie Beard. Also recognized was Pam Watson, Support Staff of the Year. These well-deserving winners were given beautiful trophies and $100 each to spend on themselves! Teachers not using all their sick days this school year received a “bonus” check for their faithfulness. SUA also said goodbye to three faculty members this year. Special Needs and Achievers teacher Gwen Felder has been with SUA since its beginning in 2001. She is retiring at the age of 82! Miss Gwen has faithfully served and to say she will be missed is an understatement. Joy Brewer, who has taught at SUA for two years, and Rob Macrory, who has coached and taught for one year, are both moving on this fall. Their contributions to SUA will always be appreciated. Following its celebration and goodbyes, SUA’s staff began its professional development portion of the meeting. Next fall will mark the school’s 15th year as an accredited institution with SACs/AdvancEd. SUA will host an accreditation review next spring, so it is time to begin goal setting for the upcoming school year. Using stakeholder surveys and student data, teachers were able to capitalize on their strengths as a team and list the many opportunities for improvement. This summer will be dedicated to working on the development of these goals as SUA prepares for the upcoming school year. The day ended in prayer and a blessing from “Miss Gwen.”

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Evangel Christian Academy Evangel Christian Academy exists to partner with Christian parents to provide their child with a Christ-centered education. Our desire is to help each child achieve their God-given potential through providing activities designed to foster spiritual, academic and social growth.

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Montgomery County Schools

Catholic Graduates Class of 2016

Academy Students Earn National Merit Scholarships

Gracie Trulove has been selected as a winner of a National Merit Scholarship and will receive a $2,500 scholarship from the organization. She is one of 33 students from the state of Alabama to receive this honor. Additionally, Lindsey Warwick and William Moore earned college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards from Samford University and University of Minnesota, respectively, where they will be attending school in the fall. From approximately 1.5 million students who entered the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program, only about 16,000 were named Semifinalists. In order to advance in the competition and be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, a Semifinalist had to become a Finalist by fulfilling several requirements that included submitting a detailed scholarship application and presenting a record of very high academic performance. All winners of about 7,400 National Merit Scholarships are being chosen from the group of approximately 15,000 distinguished Finalists.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s 141st Commencement Exercises took place in an outdoor ceremony on the grounds of the Athletic Complex at the Vaughn Road Campus on May 24. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, Superintendent of Education Gwendolyn Byrd, Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar, and High School Principal Chad Barwick were joined by Monsignor Charles Troncale, Father Patrick Driscoll ‘84, Father Pat Arensberg, Father Alex Valladares, and Deacon Jim Labadie, as the special guests of the class. Salutatorian Patrick Raymond O’Mara and valedictorian Nadine Cynthia Moussalli addressed their fellow graduates, special guests, family and friends after the class received their diplomas from Archbishop Rodi. The Class of 2016, along with alumni, sang the Montgomery Catholic Alma Mater “Catholic, Our Refuge” led by Montgomery Catholic teacher Kerri Moore before heading to the in-zone to salute the school one final time. Members of the junior and sophomore class hosted the graduates and their families at a reception in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center following the ceremony. The Class of 2016 includes: John Cole Archer, Agnes Jean Armstrong, Jacob Ryan Atchley, Emily Ann Barranco, Tabatha-Marie Catalina Barrera, Kathleen Margaret Beesley, Cameron DeShon Brisbon, Courtney Rose Brodgen, Devin Rudolph Byrts, James Warner Cleghorn, Michael Elliott Collins, Eric Anderson Crenshaw, Lashundra Meche` Daniels, Kristianna Janay Davison, Aryian LaMychel Dean, Kailyn Naichelle Dean, Jennifer Manh Doan, Marissa Hope Dogan, Eryka Dominiq` Ellington, Claire Ann Fischer, Hayden Elizabeth Gambacurta, Abaigeal Grace Gilbert, Jonathan Wiley Green, Patrick Dylan Gregorius, Phoebe Michelle Hall, Freddrick Andre` Hardy, Stephanie Lauren Hayes, Katherine Lacy Herbek, Blake Ashton Johnson, Richard Damien Kanneh, Kris Gabriel Keating, Anna Marie Koerner, Lloyd Melvin Black Koontz, Emily Ann Lafreniere, WooSeop (Martin) Lee, Aubrey Lorraine Lenn, David Scott LoBello, Megan Helene Matisak, Katherine Elizabeth McDaniel, Morgan Nicole Micher, Juanita Chenail Mickles, Wilson Daniel Miles IV, Nadine Cynthia Moussalli, Sarah Irene Murry, Patrick Raymond O’Mara, Ryan Matthew Piper, Madison Paige Pritchett, Lester Carl Rudolph, Joshua Ross Seals, Madison Tyler Searcy, Youngtaek Seo, Mary Reagan Starrett, Megan Shea Stembridge, Logan James Stevens, Brandon Malik Thomas, Lexy Elizabeth Tynan, Elizabeth Suzanne Vaughan, and Samuel Joseph Walker. Class of 2016 photo courtesy of Total Image.

MEA Performs Alice

The Macon East Academy Drama Club presented its annual spring play Alice on May 3. Alice was adapted by seniors Hannah Davis and Hannah Walters from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, with inspiration from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Along with adapting the script, Davis and Walters designed the set and costumes with the help of Drama Club sponsor Candice Duffey. Once the girls settled on a design, members of the cast helped make Wonderland and the characters in Alice come to life. This year’s play was a huge success and the first time students in 7th-12th grades have participated in the spring play. The magnificently colorful set design and costumes, along with outstanding theatrical performances by the entire cast, brought Alice to life. Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Trinity Kindergartners Partner with Middle School Design Thinking Class

Trinity Presbyterian School’s Design Thinking class recently partnered with Mrs. Allen’s kindergarten class on a creative writing project utilizing the school’s 3D printer. Using their imaginations, kindergarten students created and sketched a main character, which would later be the center of the story they would write. Working closely with the kindergarten students, Mrs. Hill’s Design Thinking class constructed the pictures of the main characters utilizing the 3D printer software. Afterwards, the middle school students printed the “story characters” on the 3D printer and delivered them to the younger students. After receiving the actual objects, the kindergarten students used endless imagination as they wrote creative stories involving their characters. The project culminated with the kindergarten students sharing their imaginative stories with students from the Design Thinking class. This project, which enabled older students to encourage and mentor younger students, is an example of the many advantages to a Trinity one-campus education.

Fourth- through sixth-graders from Success Unlimited Academy explored the outdoors during a field trip to Lanark Nature Center in Millbroo. More than thirty students, along with faculty and chaperones, were kindly greeted at the nature center upon arrival. Actually, SUA was the only school group visiting that particular day, therefore allowing the nature center to provide a less rushed visit. Many students of Bonnie Nail’s fourthand fifth-grade class, along with students of Sharon Turman’s sixth-grade class, experienced their first fishing trip and the fish were definitely biting on that day! Students also enjoyed the Aquatic Round-up experience, where they discovered many different “creatures” living in a pond ecosystem. Following the many activities of the nature center, SUA’s group enjoyed a picnic lunch together before returning to school.

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ACA Celebrates Graduates

Alabama Christian Academy celebrates the accomplishments and talents of the graduating class of 2016. All together, these students have earned more than $3.8 million in scholarships to embark on the next phase of life.

Evangel Christian Academy Preschoolers Visit Library

In preparation for attending Evangel Christian Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s K4 next year, the Pre-K4 class from Evangel Christian Preschool took a field trip to visit ECAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s library. The librarian read stories and talked to the class about the library activities they will get to enjoy next year. The students enjoyed their visit and are excited about starting school at ECA.

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Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Montgomery Academy Works with Magic Moments To Help Dreams Come True for Two Families

Twice in one week there were tears of joy during assemblies at Montgomery Academy. In April, Middle and Upper School students gathered to present one gift, and the next day Lower School students presented another. In both cases, MA students and the Public Service Committee had worked with Magic Moments to make the dreams of a local child come true. Hallie will be going to a Justin Bieber concert this summer; Abigail and her family will take a trip to Disney World. These gifts were made possible by a schoolwide effort lasting from August until April, during which MA raised funds for Magic Moments, an organization dedicated to providing special trips and experiences for children coping with life-threatening conditions. The effort proved successful beyond even the most hopeful expectations, raising $16,000. Parking place raffles, a dodgeball game, bake sales, T-shirt sales, chances to throw pies on Pi Day, admission fees for a dance and sales of Valentine hearts and candies all contributed to the total. Students from grades K-12 had a hand in the campaign; they planned, organized and participated in events throughout the school year.

Trinity Kindergartners Explore Outdoor Classroom

Under the expert guidance of kindergarten teacher Susan Brown, Trinity Presbyterian School’s kindergartners have enjoyed using their outdoor classroom this past spring. They have been busy growing colorful pansies, kale, carrots, several varieties of cabbage and lettuce, swiss chard, mustard greens, spinach, broccoli and herbs including lemon balm, mint, parsley, rosemary, oregano and French lavender. The students kept careful observation journals on the growth of the plants. Excitement filled the air as the harvest day grew near. Eagerly, the students filled a large bowl with the fruits of their labor and enjoyed a delicious salad complete with their beautiful, edible pansies as their mid-afternoon snack! As an added treat, they enjoyed fresh lemonade with mint, lemon balm and French lavender. It was a day to remember in Trinity kindergarten!

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Trinity Welcomes New Director of Bands

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Montgomery Parents I July 2016

Trinity Presbyterian School announces the appointment of Russell Greene as Director of Bands. Greene replaces Gene Butler, who leaves Trinity after six years of distinguished service to become the Director of Bands at his alma mater, Smiths Station High School. Greene comes to Trinity from Oak Grove High School in Bessemer, where he has served as assistant band director for the last two years. His teaching duties at Oak Grove have included 6th grade beginning band, 7th and 8th grade intermediate band, and high school marching band. His innovative Indoor Marching Winds ensemble at Oak Grove won the Alabama State Championship at the 2016 Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships in Belmont, Tenn. Greene holds a BME degree from Troy University and an MA from the University of Alabama. While at Troy, he served as French horn section leader in the Symphony Band, the Trojan Brass Ensemble, and the Sound of the South marching band. At Alabama, he served as a graduate teaching assistant, working with the Million Dollar Band and conducting the University of Alabama Concert Band. Additionally, he served as the coordinator of athletic pep bands at Alabama, and played French horn in the Alabama Wind Ensemble. Greene has made consistent contributions to the advancement of Music Education, with multiple research presentations and panel discussions at the annual Alabama Music Educators Association conference in Montgomery. Additionally, an article he authored entitled, “Mellophone Players: What Mouthpiece Do I Use?” appeared in the August 2014 edition of The Instrumentalist, a highly regarded national band publication. An aspiring composer and arranger, Greene has written halftime and stand music for the Sound of the South marching band at Troy University, as well as the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band. Many high school bands throughout Alabama and Florida also perform his band arrangements on a regular basis. Greene assumes teaching duties at Trinity this summer.

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Macon East Celebrates Junior/Senior Prom

The Macon East Academy junior/senior prom was held April 30 at 129 Coosa in Montgomery’s downtown alley entertainment district. The junior class, prom committee members (Sami Nesbitt, Alex Wyrosdick, Rai Pritchett and Cadey Brown), and prom sponsor Jennifer Harris worked all year to plan an evening of fun and dancing. Taking their inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 painting, this year’s prom theme was “Starry Night.” The banquet hall at 129 Coosa was decorated with a replica of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” along with stars and twinkling lights suspended from the venue’s exposed beams. Couples enjoyed having their picture taken sitting in the eight-foot crescent moon. Members of the Class of 2016 and their escorts were recognized at the senior lead-outs, as parents snapped pictures to commemorate the moment. DJ Ziggy kept everyone on the dance floor until the announcement of the 2016 Prom King and Queen, Patrick Brown and Ally Slaton.

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SUA Selects 2016 Class Favorites

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Success Unlimited Academy proudly announces its Class Favorites for 2016. Front row from left are Harmoni Patton (9th grade), Kari Byrd (10th grade), Evan Lee (10th grade), Jamal Johnson (10th grade), Ashton Caffie (9th grade) and Baylee Hampsey (11th grade); back row are Troy Alves (11th grade), Chris Bradford (11th grade), ShiKeria Moore (10th Grade) Ella Wooten (11th grade), Madison DeProspo (9th grade), Ladarian Campbell (9th grade).

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Success Unlimited Graduates 54 Seniors

Success Unlimited Academy recently graduated 54 seniors with more than $150,000 earned in scholarship money to further their college educations in the upcoming months. Madeline White earned the Millennium Scholar’s Award to attend Troy University, which also covers full tuition, housing and meals, valued at more than $63,000. Sanders Cochran was awarded the Success Scholarship for $500 and Charles Ragona was awarded the Brassell Scholarship for $500 as well. Marsa Beck received a Music Scholarship in the amount of $20,000 from Judson College. Ricky Ashford received a Music Scholarship in the amount of $20,000 from Full Sail University in Orlando. Chandani Moncrief earned a full scholarship to Lawson State Community College which covers 100% tuition and fees. Miss Success 2016 Hannah Littleton was awarded The Excellence in Leadership Scholarship and the Choral Scholarship from Troy University, which is valued at more than $9,200. She also was awarded $800 from the Distinguished Young Women Program for winning the Overall Top Talent Award. Littleton began the 2016 Commencement Exercises by singing a beautiful rendition of the song “Hallelujah” written by Leonard Cohen. She also led SUA’s Warrior Praise Band faithfully throughout the three years she has been a student at SUA.

ACA Hosts Community Workday

Members of the Alabama Christian Academy family including parents, students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered to help with summer renovation projects. Painting and yard work were just a few of the projects tackled on community workday. Service is at the heart of ACA!

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Hooper Senior Represents U.S. in Italy

Upcoming Hooper Academy senior Erin Williams has been awarded the opportunity to travel to Italy and play softball for the AIST organization representing the United States. Williams has attended Hooper for one year and has played basketball and softball for the school during that time. Her work ethic is not only on the field but in the classroom as well. She continues to work this summer to be a senior leader for the athletic program at Hooper. Hooper softball coach is Ashley Blocker.

Evangel’s Kindergarten Class Graduates

The K5 class at Evangel Christian Academy concluded the year with a program and graduation ceremony. The students began by sharing Bible verses and songs. The audience then enjoyed a visit from various Bible characters. The children also shared math skills, reading rules, and the process by which they learned to read through songs and skits. There was even an appearance from a super hero, “Super E.” When the students left to change into their caps and gowns, the parents enjoyed a video presentation celebrating the students from birth to graduation. The graduates later returned dressed in traditional caps and gowns. After awards were presented to the students, the guests were invited to a reception honoring ECA’s youngest graduates. 31

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Montgomery County Schools

Catholic Honors Varsity Athletes for 2015-16 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored its varsity athletes for the 2015-16 year at the annual Varsity Athletic Banquet held at the RSA Activity Center May 11. Montgomery Catholic fields 16 varsity team sports throughout the year. High School Principal Chad Barwick recognized the four nominees for the Jimmy Hitchcock Award: Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Nadine Moussalli and Patrick O’Mara. Also recognized were Montgomery Catholic’s ninth-grade nominees, Claire Mills and Amaris Tyynismaa. Montgomery Catholic has four awards honoring individual team members for their hard work and dedication to their sport. Three of these distinguished awards honor individuals who had tremendous influence on the athletic program at Catholic: Father Patrick Delahunty, Mr. Joe Fields, and Coach Jack Kresek. In addition, each varsity sport names one Most Valuable Player. Catholic also awarded two scholarships for school tuition. The first was the Coach Ralph Furlong Scholarship, established in 1998. Initiated by a member of his 1946 football team, the intent of this scholarship is to honor one of Catholic’s greatest coaches, whose record of 24 straight wins from 1947-1949 remains a school record. The Furlong scholarship is a partial tuition scholarship of $1,000, given to a high school student who demonstrates a commitment to both extracurricular and his or her studies. The 2016 recipients of the Coach Ralph Furlong Scholarship were Aleigha Walden and Zachary Van Alst.

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

The second scholarship given was the Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins ‘08 Memorial Scholarship, established in 2013. Wiggins was a 2008 MCPS graduate and varsity athlete who was killed in an automobile accident in 2013. The scholarship is a $3,500 partial tuition scholarship given for one school year to a female student athlete at Montgomery Catholic’s High School Campus. Wiggins’s family and friends endowed this scholarship to give another child the opportunity to achieve the type of success that she enjoyed in life. Michaelyn Foster received the Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins ‘08 Memorial Scholarship presented by Caitlyn’s parents, Lisa and Jim Wiggins. The top athletes from each sport were nominated for the Knights of the Round Table Award, which recognizes the top male and female athlete of the year. The Knights of the Round Table winners were Agnes Armstrong and Gabe Keating, shown at right. To close the banquet, Deacon Jim Labadie of St. Peter Catholic Church led the parents and guests in a final blessing for all of the senior athletes.

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Southlawn Middle Wins Special Olympic Medals at Troy

Southlawn Middle School students captured 15 medals during the 2016 Alabama Special Olympic Games held May 20-23 at Troy University in Troy. Natasha Herron, Kerayvon Rudolph, Chasity Ford, Dante Miller, Traci Daniel and Travon Fuller earned a combined 13 gold and 2 silver medals. This is the fourth year Southlawn Middle School has earned top medals in the state games.

Evangel’s Sixth-Grade Class Graduates

Evangel Christian Academy’s sixth-grade class was promoted to junior high in a special ceremony May 19. The sixth-graders recited Bible verses and sang, honored their parents with gifts and words of gratitude, and made a special video presentation. The students also took time to thank and acknowledge the teachers who helped them throughout their elementary years. Valedictorian Chelsea Trimble and salutatorian Julienne Pharrams each gave speeches marking this milestone in the students’ lives. At the end of the ceremony, each received a “Promotion to Junior High” certificate. Family and friends joined the students for a reception.

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SUA Celebrates Athletic Banquet

The 5th Annual Success Unlimited Academy Athletic Banquet was held May 12 in the Mustang Gym. Athletes, along with their families and guests, as well as faculty and coaching staff, came together to celebrate the conclusion of another great athletic year. “This year was one of our best ever,” said Athletic Director Jack Moody. “Every program showed great progress toward accomplishing our goals. The baseball and softball teams were much more competitive in our conference this season and our ladies’ basketball program won our first state championship!” After a scrumptious meal prepared by King’s Table Catering, the student athletes were honored and recognized for an outstanding year. Mustang Development Awards were presented to the following: JV Boys’ Basketball, Reggie Patterson; Girls’ Basketball, Michaela Maldon-Carter; Varsity Boys’ Basketball, Brandon Maddox; Volleyball, Maddy White; Cheer, Aryanna Mays; Softball, Tiye Davis; and Baseball, Chris Bradford. The Mustang Heart Awards were given to the following players: JV Boys’ Basketball, Devin Johnson; Varsity Boys’ Basketball, Trevon Venter; Varsity Girls’ Basketball, Madison DeProspo; Volleyball, SarahDiane Moody; Cheer, ShiKeria Moore; Softball, Maddy White; Baseball, James Dinsmoore. The SUA Mustang MVP Awards were presented to the following: Cheer, Cassye Bryant; JV Boys’ Basketball, Ken’Damion Smith; Varsity Boys’ Basketball, Marion Carney; Girls’ Basketball, Mya Barnes; Volleyball, Hannah Littleton; Softball, Ella Wooten; Baseball, Justin Shelby. The top athletic awards, Mr. Mustang and Miss Mustang, were given to Jimmy Schoolfield and Maddy White.

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

Montgomery Academy’s Speech & Debate Team Captures 16th State Championship

The Montgomery Academy Speech & Debate team won its 16th state title in the past 21 years! Teams from all across Alabama competed in the 60th Annual State Tournament. Montgomery Academy won the Betty Gunn Congress Sweepstakes Award, the Individual Events Sweepstakes Award, the Debate Sweepstakes Award, and the Overall Sweepstakes Award. Individual Awards went to: Varsity Senate, William Moore, State Champion; Novice Senate, Madison Hall, State Champion; Informative Speaking, Caroline Deale, State Champion; Program Oral Interpretation, Madison Hall, State Champion; Prose Interpretation, Kyla Cole, State Champion; Poetry Interpretation, Madison Hall, State Champion; Dramatic Interpretation, Madison Hall, State Champion; Varsity Lincoln/Douglas Debate, Henry Hamlett, State Champion; Junior Varsity Public Forum Debate, Anna Kate Lindsey & Ellen Park, State Champion; and Novice Public Forum Debate, James Torbert & Madison Hall, State Champion. Madison Hall won state championships in five events and won the Alabama Student of the Year! This is the first time in the history of speech & debate in Alabama that a single person has won five different events including Student Congress, Debate and Individual Events. Montgomery Academy’s Speech & Debate program is under the direction of Jay Rye and Kris Hall.

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Trinity FCA Partners with Vaughn Road Elementary to Host Field Day

For the second consecutive year, Trinity Presbyterian School students assisted in Vaughn Road Elementary School’s annual Field Day, which was sponsored by Trinity’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Students provided leadership through planning, assisting with set-up and take-down, providing snacks, and most importantly staffing the events. The joint partnership with FCA to provide support for Field Day was initiated last year by local FCA Director John Gibbons and FCA Board Member and Trinity parent Troy Teel. “We appreciate Vaughn Road Elementary allowing the Trinity FCA to partner with them for their Field Day,” said Teel. “Principal Lindsey and Coach White were very supportive and the Vaughn Road students were awesome. It was great to see our FCA team interact with the children and share the love of Christ in a fun way. The Trinity students did a great job of working hard and running the stations at Field Day. We look forward to working with the Vaughn Road students in the future.” Students gathered at Trinity and walked to Vaughn Road to prepare for the day ahead. Balloons were blown and events staged. The Trinity volunteers were richly blessed by the students and teachers and are excited about upcoming projects with the school. Junior Carolyn Albritton enjoyed participating with the children most of all. “The kids were precious…they came up and hugged us wanting love from everyone who volunteered,” she said. 34

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Catholic Students Chosen As HOBY Ambassadors

Carrie Belsterling and Matthew Taylor were selected to represent Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School as Ambassadors for HOBY (Hugh Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brian Youth Leadership). The Seminar was held at Troy University May 27-29. HOBY is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost Youth Leadership Seminar that more than 10,000 deserving high school sophomores from across the country attend each year. Their mission is to inspire and develop the global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. Belsterling is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Belsterling and Taylor is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Taylor of Montgomery. (photos by Total Image)

ECA Inducts Students Into Honor Society

Evangel Christian Academy recently conducted its annual induction ceremony for the National Honor Society. The program began with a candle lighting ritual in which scholarship, leadership, service and character, the foundational principles of the organization, were represented. After the candle lighting ceremony, the candidates for induction were then led in the NHS pledge and presented with certificates celebrating their acceptance into the organization. New members are: Corryne Banks, Ronald Holland, Mathew Johnson, Derek Kitchens, Brandon Martin, Justin McGown, Ellejae Reynolds, Brittney Sherill, Gracie Thompson, Kate Blackwell, Mary Loughridge, James Paterson, Tryton Taylor, Joseph Washington, Joe Ellen Whitfield, Alaina Horton, and Ashely Jones. They were welcomed by current members Brittnay Johnson, Caleb Rigsby, Lauren Stehl, MaKenzie Whatley, Oaklee Williams, Jordan Cartee, Chelsea Martin and Victoria Temple. 35

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Montgomery County Schools

Montgomery Academy Girls’ Tennis Team Wins State Championship

The Montgomery Academy Girls’ Tennis Team captured its second consecutive state championship and eighth title in nine years. The MA girls completed the year with a record of 24-9, including an impressive string of victories over the final month of the season. The team qualified for the state tournament by winning the section tournament first, overcoming tough competition from Bayside and Houston Academy. The Eagles’ championship run was highlighted by strong performances throughout the lineup, with seven players bringing home individual state titles. Individual state champions were: Holland Griffin, Elizabeth Robertson, Lucy Massey, Kate Dockery, Sellers McConnell, Martha Ernest and Shelby Slawson. Seniors Griffin and Massey finished their MA tennis careers with three team state championships and a combined seven individual state titles.

Summer Grow Camp at ACA

Alabama Christian Academy Grow Camp has kicked off with a bang! Students in grades K5-12 have explored classes such as cooking, sports, knitting, and water activities. Grow with ACA in an inviting, safe and Christian environment.

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Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Montgomery Catholic High School Holds Academic Awards Ceremony

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored its top high school students at the annual Academic Awards Ceremony held in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center May 9. School President Anne Ceasar began the evening with the presentation of the Charles T. Harbin Distinguished Service award to Kevin Ryan, followed by the announcement of the students who received scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year. Many honors were bestowed during the evening, including the most outstanding student in each subject area. The new and senior members of the Loretto Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) were recognized during the ceremony. The Math Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dr. Joe Profio acknowledged the students that participated in the American Mathmatics Competition (AMC) and had the high scores for the school. Honor cords were given to the seniors that participated in Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club. Montgomery Catholicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Key Club members were very generous with their time throughout our community this year. Nine students gave more than 50 hours of their time during this school year. They were Aimee Azar, Amanda Brouillard, Jeong Yeon Choi, Isabelle Cochran, Katie Fischer, Emma Gandy, Reagan Herbek, Anna Nutting and Maggie Tippett. Students with the highest grade-point average for each high school grade level were also recognized. Honor roll certificates for both the A and A/B honor rolls were given to those students who attained A or A/B honor roll throughout the school year for each grade level. The Joe Arban Perfect Attendance Award was given to Erica Blackburn, James Avery and Reagan Herbek for having perfect attendance this year. The evening culminated with two of the highest awards given at Montgomery Catholic: Leader of the Year and the Ideal Graduate. Shown at top right, High School Principal Chad Barwick awarded the Montgomery Catholic Leader of the Year award to Marissa Dogan, who has served the school in numerous leadership positions in Science Olympiad and Key Club, as well as captain of the Color Guard. School President Ceasar awarded the Montgomery Catholic Ideal Graduate Award to the student who embodies the overall qualities and talents of an ideal graduate. This year two students were named as Ideal Graduates at Montgomery Catholic: Agnes Armstrong and Kathleen Beesley. They are shown at bottom right.

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Hooper 2014 Graduate Signs with Faulkner Lady Eagles

Congratulations to Amber Whittington, 2014 graduate of Hooper Academy, for signing with the 2016-17 Faulkner Lady Eagles basketball program. Amber also joins other former Hooper athletes at Faulkner Elissa Cargile (volleyball), Brady Bowden (fishing), Will Selmon (baseball). Good luck to all of our Eagles! Go Colts!

F o r E v E r y G E n E r at i o n . Prattville First United Methodist Church â&#x20AC;˘ 100 E. 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 8: 30 AM & 11: 00 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 9: 45 AM THE WELL 11: 00 AM

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Hooper 2016 Graduate Signs with Faulkner Baseball

Congratulations to Will Selmon, 2016 graduate of Hooper Academy, for signing with the 2016-17 Faulkner Eagles baseball program. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Summer is well underway, and families are vacationing, making memories, and recharging! The school hallways may be a little quieter but that doesn’t mean there is not a lot going on in Autauga County Schools. Principals are preparing for the 2016-2017 school year; teachers are attending workshops; and maintenance crews are out diligently working to improve schools. I would like to share with you some of the projects in progress at our schools this summer, but first, I would like to congratulate all of our graduates and recognize our class of 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians. Autaugaville – Valedictorian- Jaila Rhodes, Salutatorian- Breyahna Perry Billingsley – Valedictorians- Mikayli Glasscock and Wyatt Lockhart, Salutatorian- Jewel Williams Marbury High – Valedictorians- Nick Ayers, Christian Byrne, Payton Ford, Rachel Friend, Hannah Lovvorn, Kayleigh Lunsford, Drew Skipper, and Allison Wetherill

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

Prattville High – Valedictorians- Donald Jimmy Ho and Sidney Erin Wasner, SalutatorianMykaela Justine Watt Summer is traditionally associated with relaxation, but in Autauga County, it is a time for renewal and revitalization. Striving for excellence is a year round job. We have improvements underway throughout our county! The largest venture is the remodeling of the front of Prattville High School; however, many other projects are in progress at all of our schools including: painting, paving, application of asphalt sealant, pressure washing, parking lot restriping, and new carpet and tile installations. Endeavors like these are not possible without financial planning and fiscal responsibility. Autauga County Schools are blessed in many ways. The Autauga Education Foundation held the A+ Banquet on June 23rd at the Prattville Marriot Legends Conference Center. The funds raised are returned to all the schools in Autauga County. I deeply appreciate the financial support, along with the community support, this foundation provides to our public schools. Excellence in education is only attained through teamwork. Dedication to continuous improvement is a common theme in Autauga County. I would like to congratulate Angela Landry, Prattville Inter-

mediate School principal, on being selected as a member of the Certified Instructional Leader (CIL) 2016-2017 cohort for the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). This program recognizes instructional leaders who have completed rigorous coursework and in-field experiences essential to the school instructional leader role. This is a tremendous accomplishment to be selected to participate in this distinguished group, and Ms. Landry is a fine example of the type of leadership our students and parents can expect from our system. As always, Autauga County is looking toward our future! We look forward to kicking off a great 2016-2017 school year at our Teacher Institute on August 1st. Our teachers will participate in professional development at the department, grade, school, and district levels starting August 2nd. We hope our students are enjoying the last weeks of summer vacation because the first day of school will be Wednesday, August 10th. I am excited about this school year and anticipate it will be the best ever! Spence Agee is the Superintendent of Education for Autauga County Schools. He is a third generation educator with an ED.S. in Educational Leadership. He has 16 years of experience in the education field as well as 25 years of military experience. Agee is an active member at First Baptist Church in Prattville. He and his wife, Cesily, who is also an educator, have two daughters, Abby and Addison.

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Summer is a time filled with vacations, time off, family activities, and a break from the normal routine of the school year. Relaxed schedules and the absence of structured education can lead to what is known as the “summer slide.” Summer slide is the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Research has shown that students can lose up to two months of learning during summer. The good news is that reading is the number one way to prevent the “summer slide.” Elmore County Public Schools provided elementary summer camps in Eclectic, Holtville, Millbrook, and Wetumpka. Students in grades K-4 and the 4 and 5 year olds from our child development centers were eligible to attend. At the conclusion of the two-week camps, each child received a backpack filled with eight books from a variety of genres on their grade

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

level along with a summer reading plan to help them grow and expand their interests throughout the summer. Reading just four to six books over the summer has the potential to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores. Parents can help curb this slide by reading themselves. As children see adults in their lives reading, they will often tend to read more also. I recommend the following tips to help you incorporate reading into your summer plans: 1. Make it Fun – Students will not consider it “work” if you make it fun! And they are more likely to make reading a life-long habit if they view it as entertaining. 2. Set Goals – Provide a reward or some tangible prize when your child reaches their summer reading goals. 3. Read Every Day – Commit to reading something every day; make it part of your daily schedule. 4. Schedule Time – Schedule a time when the entire family will turn off all mobile devices, computers, televisions, etc. and read individually or aloud as a family.

5. Destination – Read about a destination, then go there! There are several local historic places to visit or consider taking a few small day trips around the state. 6. Movie – Find a current movie that is based on a book. After each family member has read the book, go see the movie together and discuss their similarities and differences. These are just a few easy suggestions, and I’m sure you can come up with many more. By encouraging your child to read and participating with them, you will not only help prepare them for success in the upcoming academic year but you will also enjoy some genuine family time. My daughter is taking summer classes at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) this term, but I personally look forward to reading a few books myself this summer with my wife, Monica, and my dog Oscar by my side. Please check out our Summer Calendar of Events at www.elmoreco.com. Andre` L. Harrison has served as a teacher, acting principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services and Human Resources, Assistant Superintendent of Education, and the Deputy Superintendent of Education/Chief of Staff. He is married to Monica, and they have a daughter, Aundrea, who attends the UAB. They reside in Millbrook, Alabama.

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Belk, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and over 85 Specialty Shops, including Bath & Body Works, Sephora and Foot Locker

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Elmore County Schools

Tallassee Student Elected To Girls State Office

Tallassee High School rising senior Gracie Miller was selected as the 2016 Alabama Girls State representative from her school. She traveled to Tuscaloosa for the week of June 6-10, and lived on campus with more than 380 other young ladies from around the state. Girls State is modeled on the state government of Alabama, and the young ladies have the opportunity to run for political offices. “As I packed and made my way to Tuscaloosa, I had no idea what to expect,” Miller said. “I had no intentions of running for any type of office. But once I arrived, all my nerves vanished and I was eager to just dive in. To start with, I decided to participate in the choir that sang at each session of Girls State. That was my true comfort zone. But then I stepped out of that zone. I decided I would run for a position on the State Court of Criminal Appeals. And thankfully after a speech in front of more than 400 people, I won the position!” The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) sponsors Girls State each year, offering young women the chance to experience government in action. These girls must have completed their junior year, and are welcomed whether they hail from big cities or small towns around the state. Representatives for Girls State are expected to exhibit high moral character and outstanding leadership abilities. “Being able to participate in Girls State made me realize what I want to study and major in when I go to college,” Miller said. “Girls State also pushed me to take chances and realize that I won’t win or come out on top in every circumstance of life. When I had to leave the campus of Alabama on Friday, I left with tears in my eyes, but also with the great experiences and friendships that are now treasured deep in my heart. There truly are no words that could describe how thankful I am for being given the opportunity to attend Girls State.” Miller is the daughter of Jennifer Miller and Eric Miller of Tallassee. She is shown with State Treasurer Young Boozer. Montgomery Parents I July 2016

Homeschool Co-op Recognizes Graduates

Academy Days Co-op applauds its graduating seniors as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. Elmore resident Noah Hart, Montgomery residents Emily Holmes and Emily McAliley, Prattville resident Allison Powell and Montgomery resident Noah Brailsford pose with a celebratory cake during the last day of spring semester as their homeschooling peers and parents applaud. Held at Coosada Baptist Church, the Academy Days Co-op meets weekly during the school year for homeschoolers in preschool through high school to take classes in subjects such as Spanish, computer programming, science labs, acrylic painting and P.E. Visit www.AcademyDays.com for more information.

Local Students Participate in National Competition

Students from Victory Baptist School participated in the 39th annual American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) National Competition held at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., April 12-14. Approximately 1,800 students and sponsors from 29 states competed, having captured top honors in their state contests. The students, representing almost 200 Christian high schools, competed in 76 categories in the five basic areas of Bible, music, speech, art, and academics. The following students represented Victory Baptist School in the AACS National competition: Katie Annotti, Speech Category (Declamation); Carter Byrd, Bible Category (Evangelistic Preaching); Kaycee Yarroch, Bible Category (Oral Interpretation of Scripture); and Megan Fondren, Academic Testing Category (Biology). A fundamental Christian school, Victory Baptist was founded in 1971 to train tomorrow’s Christian leaders; it enrolls 195 students annually, grades K-12. Victory Baptist School provides “an accredited Christian education in a safe environment at an affordable price.”

Redland Principal Dan Aude Retires

After serving as head principal at Redland Elementary since before the doors first opened to students in 2009, Dan Aude has retired. On May 25, the last day of the 2015-16 school year, faculty and staff joined Aude in the afternoon carpool line to say goodbye to parents and students for the last time. 44

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

Embracing Teen Conflict for Good If your family could be described by a television program, would it be the older than dirt Leave It To Beaver series, or more like the can’t wait till it’s over The Kardashians? Despite every parent’s earnest hopes that their family will look something like the perfect sitcom, I can guarantee there’s going to be some reality TV thrown in there, too. Maybe you’re living some of that reality right now. Your children have hit the teen years and you feel like your home has been thrown into tail-spin. Your teens are seeking increased independence while, as parents, you are trying to let the reigns out slowly. Or perhaps raising your child has always been a battle, causing you to think about waving the white flag and giving up. I get it—the teen years are a challenge! Conflict is a pre-cursor for change. Don’t ignore what is before you as it might just be the greatest opportunity to influence your child… in the midst of some of the hardest parenting times. Mom and Dad, let me offer you some encouragement. While these years are challenging, they also present critical opportunities to guide your teen through the real issues of life. Don’t shy away from these opportunities that appear as headaches and heartaches. Keep engaged with your teen no matter the level of stress on either side. This is where the battle is won for your teen. And this is when you need to be your teen’s best ally not his or her worst nightmare. Here’s some guidelines for dealing with a few challenging examples.

Example #1: The Angry Teen

Maybe the situation you’re facing today is constant conflict with your teen. Let’s first normalize this. Conflict will occur as your teen’s self-interests clash with your desire to look after his or her best interests. Remember, anger is a secondary emotion, so when your teen is angry, look to understand what is the root cause. Be genuinely curious to learn what he or she is feeling and thinking, wanting or needing. Talk to you teen! Don’t match their anger, but ask them to share with you why they are angry. Your calm approach will bring stability to them and their emotions. You may not always be Montgomery Parents I July 2016

able to meet their unmet needs or wants, but you can listen to them and learn about them. Most important, you can help them process their deep feelings and frustrations. Sometimes that is enough. You may even be able to relate to them on many levels, remembering when you were a teen. In this way, your teen’s anger can be a doorway for developing an honest and healthy relationship based on mutual love and respect. You may be thinking, “This is impossible!” You may be saying, “You don’t know my kid. He’s unapproachable!” Resist reliving the past or feeling intimidated in the present. Yes, it may start out bumpy, but let you teen know you are going to keep trying, you are going to keep engaging, and you are going to keep loving. It’s been said that “no one cares how much you know until you show how much you care.”

Example #2: The Withdrawn Teen

The withdraw teen is an apathetic teen. Anger indicates they are still passionate and engaged, but apathy indicates they are in the danger zone of disengagement— checked out from everyone and everything. Signs of the withdrawn teen are that the things she used to care about no longer excite her. He has no motivation, no ambition, and lacks any strong emotion. This is the teen who can take parents to the end of their ropes because they seem unreachable. The withdrawn teen can pose a heartwrenching challenge–sometimes calling for the urgent action. First, keep engaging and keep reaching out to your teen in ways that are caring and loving. Again, it’s all about communication. Rather than criticizing them for their apathy, invite them into a dialogue to learn about what is troubling them inside. Let them know that nothing they can tell you will stop you from loving them. Let them know that you are genuinely there to listen and help. Take time out to show you really care. 46

That might mean scheduling a night on the sofa to talk, a walk, a dinner out, or a road trip—whatever will create a real opportunity for real communication. But if your teen won’t talk to you, don’t throw up your hands. You still have options. Suggest that they talk with a trusted therapist or pastor. Many times teens are afraid to share with their parents the truth about their overwhelming feelings and even dark struggles, but they will talk to someone else if given the opportunity. Don’t feel rejected or hurt. Be grateful they want to deal with their issues. If they aren’t talking to you, they need to talk to someone. In addition, a professional can assess whether your teen is dealing with something more than temporary apathy. They can evaluate if serious depression or suicidal thoughts are preventing recovery.

Example #3: The Acting-Out Teen

These are the teens who wake you up in the middle of the night asking you to bail them out of jail. These are the teens who are sexually active, using drugs, drinking alcohol, bullying others, self-harming, have an eating disorder, or are exhibiting some other self-destructive behavior. This is the time for you to resist only focusing on the external issue to look deeper to the motivational driver. When you are tempted to berate your teen for external behaviors, stop to talk about the “why” of what they are doing. This can be illuminating to you and your teen. Often times, your teen hasn’t stop to look at the “why” or where it is taking them. Your teen may be acting out of depression, insecurity, faulty thinking, fear, loss, and peer pressure. While setting healthy boundaries and addressing the behavior, you can also offer your teen desperately needed support, love, and a place to process their pain. Let them know that there is way out and a way up.

Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

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As my teenage daughter’s birthday was approaching, I asked her if she wanted to have a party with some friends. “I guess,” she answered in her typical non-committal way. While she thought she could have a killer party by just inviting friends, ordering pizza and plugging her phone into a speaker, I knew they would spend much of the party concentrating on their phones instead of each other. Instead, I offered her a few teen party ideas that I hoped would serve as the “warm up band” and get her friends moving, laughing and making memories at the killer party my daughter envisioned. Here are the six ideas that we came up with!

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Night at the Club – Turn your basement into a Night Club or Sports Bar (minus the alcohol, of course). Teens love to Karaoke via your Wii, Playstation or Xbox and dance games like Just Dance gets the party going fast. Consider asking your guests to wear neon or white and set the room in black light. Games like Darts, Pool, Foosball or Air Hockey are usually found in the basement of a family with teens. You can also bring in Cornhole boards and bean bags for a friendly, competitive game. Instead of pizza, try serving nachos, cheese sticks and chicken wings. An 80’s Party – My kids know all

the 80’s songs from Bon Jovi to ZZ Top because they grew up listening to them. At an 80’s themed party guests can dress up as their parents did back in the day. Offer a variety of 80’s games for the kids to play including Simon, Uno, Rubik’s Cube and Atari Flashback (available on Amazon). Keep the party going with “Who Wants to be an 80’s Star” which is a spinoff of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”. Create 80’s trivia questions with a life line to parents or poll the audience. Serve popular 80’s foods like pizza rolls, jello pudding pops, sloppy joes, and of course, Tab.

Murder Mystery – Not only is

a Murder Mystery Party a theme within a theme, it is also a fun way to release your inter-actor. Some themes include the Wild West, a night at the theatre, glamorous millionaires, medieval times, prom or even the holidays. You can find downloadable games online which will include character descriptions, a storyline and directions. Inform your guests ahead of time so they can dress for their role or offer costumes when they arrive. Your meal should revolve around your murder mystery setting.

Amazing Race – An Amazing Race party requires the guests to break up into teams, read and decipher clues and perform challenges in the shortest amount of time. The game can easily be set up in your neighborhood. Set challenges at the park, a neighbor’s backyard or a local business. Game printables can be found on Etsy. Incorporate food in your challenges so everyone is fed, but offer appetizers and desserts before and after the race. Challenge food games may include making a Froot Loop necklace with a certain pattern of colors and then eating it before moving on to the next challenge.

Minute to Win – This is a fun

party for all ages and a simple set up for the party-planning challenged. The guests are given one minute to do a variety of simple challenges, like picking up four dry penne pastas with a dry spaghetti noodle. Players can be individual or broken into teams of 2 or more. Have everyone do the same challenges and keep record of everyone’s times. For game ideas, check out the Minute to Win it website and head to the dollar store for supplies. Food ideas include quick and easy make-it-yourself bars like tacos, pasta or baked potatoes.

Social Media Party – Ok, if you can’t beat them, join them. This is as close to it comes to just hanging out. Set up a photo booth with props for fun party posts. Play “Find a Post” where players receive points for having posted a particular item on social media – a team logo, their pet, a picture of a Starbucks cup. Serve food that only requires one hand to eat so the teens can continue to eat and Tweet. Try foods you can stick with a toothpick like cheese cubes, cocktail meatballs or cut up fruits and veggies. mp Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three teenagers. She is the author of a party game series on Amazon and creator of Pam’s Party Printables on Etsy.

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A Page in a Book Pencil in Picture Books In a picture book landscape largely populated with bright colors, bold shapes, and a wilderness of creative fonts there reside marvelously stark standout titles that use the suggestive subtleties of pencil illustrations to carry the weight of a tale. With few or no words, the following masterpieces wield the power of pencil art to drive the story in absence of color and words. Young readers are freed from neon distractions to really delve into the imagery, to let their own dialogue and imaginings inform the story along the way. The following titles are recommended for their distinct voice and brilliant storytelling rendered in shade and silence.

The Whale

by Ethan Murrow and Vita Murros (Templar / Candlewick) When a local paper revisits a 50-year-old news event about two youngsters who claimed to have seen an enormous spotted whale off shore, the hook is set for another couple of kids who want to find proof the behemoth exists. Working independently, a girl equips her small boat with improvised video devices while a boy loads his dinghy with tools to capture audio evidence of the elusive spotted whale. But after their boats collide and wreck during the search, teamwork becomes their only option to salvage their mission and prove the mysterious monster exists. Brilliantly executed pencil illustration reveals a wordless journey that is rich with atmosphere, intrigue and excitement in this whale of a tale!

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The Only Child

by Guojing (Schwartz & Wade / Random House) Sneaking out of the house to visit her grandmother, a young child’s wandering evolves from misadventure into a magical tale of wordless wonder. Accidentally stranded in the woods, the little girl encounters a stag who introduces her to paths through forest and sky, ocean and snow. Pencil illustrations soften the edges of the lonely landscapes while sharpening the focus on brighter elements in the story; a child’s beaming face, light pouring from an open front door, a full winter moon. Drawing from her childhood during China’s ‘one child’ policy and her own experience of getting lost, Guojing’s stunning story finds the perfect balance between the beauty of solitude and the comfort of companionship.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) First published in 1984, this revolutionary picture book continues to attract new readers while remaining a touchstone pleasure for its first generation of fans. A fictional editor’s note introduces the collection of images as material left behind by a writer who never returned with the complete stories. Only a title and tantalizing caption for each drawing hint at what the story might have been. Adding to the mystery, each magnificent penciled illustration features some startling surreal element at its center. These bizarre elements transform every reader into an original storyteller as their minds reach to fill in the blanks spaces, to craft their own stories for the orphaned artwork. Pencil in time to revisit this masterpiece!

Find more A Page in a Book recommendations at www.PageBookReviews.com.

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Keeping Vacation Photos G-Rated Summer vacation photos used to mean snapshots of kids posed in front of landmarks or goofing around with cousins at a family reunion. Only a decade ago, parents knew exactly what photos their kids took if only because the camera was family property and parents had to have the photos developed. Now that cameras are embedded in most cellphones, children can take—and distribute— photos without any consultation with parents. As a result, many young people already have embarrassing and potentially risky photos posted on social networking sites and stored in the cellphones of friends as well as strangers. During the summer, when some kids are bored and less supervised, the odds of making mischief with a camera increase. The thought that some of a child’s vacation photos might be provocative or even nude is understandably distressing to parents. Teens, however, aren’t as appalled as they ought to be. One in four teens has participated in sexting and even more have seen or forwarded the photos. Both genders are involved, though girls suffer disproportionate consequences because boys rarely store or forward photos of naked boys. Technology that will allow parents to preview photos before children send them is likely to be available by the end of the year. For this summer, parents will have to talk— often—about what kinds of photos kids are allowed to take and share. Here’s what you need to know. Start young. Middle school students seem to be at especially high risk for sexting, perhaps because they are just discovering their own sexual feelings and they crave the attention of the opposite sex. Girls, in particuMontgomery Parents I July 2016

lar, may consider using an intimate photo as a way of showing a boyfriend how much they care. In one of the most thorough studies of sexting to date, researchers from the Crimes against Children Center at the University of New Hampshire pointed out that a large proportion of the pictures involved in sexting are taken and sent voluntarily by children as young as nine. Have repeated conversations. Young people are growing up in a highly sexualized culture. The message that sexting is cool comes from music videos and social media. Pornographic images are less shocking because they are so readily available online. Most young people have seen or at least heard about sexual photos of their peers, so they often start with a “no-big-deal” attitude. Parents will need to talk about this topic often to convince them otherwise. Lectures are pointless. Instead, take advantage of news reports about sexting to start open-ended conversations. Predict consequences. Adolescents are not developmentally ready to think carefully about how today’s impulse may lead to future problems. They need adults to help them anticipate potential difficulties created by sexual photos. Talk your child through various scenarios. If a relationships breaks up, how will the partners feel about sexy pictures they’ve sent to each other? How will they feel if the photo gets forwarded to one person or a thousand people or ten thousand people? What if a pedophile gets hold of the picture and puts it on a website? What if the photo is seen by the principal at school, the pastor at church, younger siblings, older relatives? Making these consequences vivid makes it less likely that a teen will impulsively send a compromising photo. Explain legal issues. Sending sexual photos of someone under 18 fits the legal description for distribution of child pornography. Police and prosecutors vary a great deal in how stringently they enforce the law. As a result, many teens don’t understand the legal risk they incur if they press “forward” on a racy picture. Be sure your child knows that 52

some young people have been prosecuted and labeled as sex offenders, a designation that can have lifelong consequences. Talk about tagging. Tagging is a social media feature that allows people to identify people in photos that they post. Although this can be a harmless way for young people to share their photos, it takes control about what images can be seen online out of your child’s hands. In particular, tagged photos can show up in the public photo strip at the top of your child’s profile page. Even if you aren’t your child’s “friend” on social media, you should regularly search his or her name to see what photos appear. If tagged photos of your child are inappropriate, try to delete them. On Facebook, visit the Account settings in the upper right of the page. Click on Privacy, a section that contains many useful tools for controlling who sees what on Facebook. To control tagged photos, choose “Customize settings,” then “Photos and Videos you’re Tagged In.” Choose “Customize” again and then click “Make this visible to”. Choose “Only Me” from the drop down menu. Even if your child would never send a sexually explicit photo, he or she may receive one from peers. Encouraging kids to report such messages puts them in a conflicted position. No teen wants to be responsible for getting a friend in trouble. You can, however, make it clear that your child can do something positive simply by deleting the photo. Sharing sexually explicit photos may actually make your child an accessory to a crime. Pressing “delete” is a small kindness to the young person foolish enough to distribute homemade pornography. Like any discussion with teens about sexuality, conversations about sexting can be awkward. It’s also natural for parents to think their own child couldn’t possibly be involved. The truth is that even “nice” kids get involved in sexting, so parents need to be proactive. Talking to children now makes it less likely they will share summer vacation photos that will haunt them when they go back to school in the fall. Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing the Growing Up Online column for ten year. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart. Available at Amazon and Cooperative Wisdom.org. @ Copyright, 2016, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved

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Birthday Traditions You’ll Want to Try By Kerrie McLoughlin

told how they were meant to be brought into the family and how special they are.

Every year when I was a kid my parents would let me choose where I wanted to eat dinner out

2. Birthday letter.

for my birthday. Another birthday tradition they

Every year I type up a birthday letter for each of my children telling them what great things they did and said and learned during the past year. I give the birthday child a copy, then save a copy in a binder and on my computer for myself because we all know kids can’t keep track of stuff. The plan is to give each of my children a copy of all their letters when they move out, which means they’ll have somewhere between 18 and 30 letters to enjoy!

kept going was to have a small party for me with family and friends, including a cookout since I have a June birthday. Kids love to feel special, and it can be a challenge to find the time to come up with ways to make a birthday a knockout. Never fear! Below are 8 ideas for birthday

3. Birthday slideshow.

traditions to start with your own kids. Pick and

With just a few clicks of your mouse you can create a special slideshow using PowerPoint or a similar computer program. Just pop in photos, size them and add cute captions. You can even add some music if you like. After your child watches it about a zillion times, save it to a CD and pop it in a special place (safe deposit box, fireproof box, etc.) so your child will always have it.

choose a few of them each year…and stick with the ones you and your birthday kid love! 1. Rise and shine. I like to wake my kids up on their birthday not with, “Get up! It’s time for school!” but with an extra long snuggle and the condensed version of the day they were born. Who doesn’t like to hear their birth story?! Adopted and foster children can be

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

4. Photos. I try to take as many pictures as I can on birthdays and even make sure I’m included in some of them, since I’m the mom

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and all! Later we like to get out old photo albums and the birthday kid’s baby album.

5. Special meal. One of my kids loves the neighborhood restaurant where they sing Happy Birthday and are given a balloon to take home. Another is content heading to the local fast food indoor play area and grabbing bites of food in between trips down the slide. Make at least one meal of the birthday child’s day something out of the ordinary!

6. Special treat. We like to hit the cupcake restaurant or grab huge, frosted cookies from a local baker and share with our friends and neighbors to spread the celebration around. A cheap – and just as special – route would be to make your child’s favorite dessert at home…cookies, cake, banana splits, shakes or ice cream sundaes are always a good bet. Depending on which fruit is in season (or go frozen!), a decadent fruit smoothie made with frozen yogurt could be nice.

7. Party (doesn’t have to be on the actual birthday). If you get a few gray hairs every time you think of planning a birthday party, don’t fret. Options include: a simple party at your place with just a few people, a bash at a park shelter or a celebration where a local children’s party place does all the work.

8. Birthday weekend sleepover with a few special friends (for kids over age 7). Warning: this one is not for the faint of heart! I suggest a maximum of 3 friends to stay the night at your house on a Friday night around the time of your child’s birthday. Order pizza to make life easy on yourself, grab some movies from the library and have them set up their sleeping bags as far away from your bedroom as possible. mp

Kerrie McLoughlin is the proud and kooky mom of five. Check out their adventures at TheKerrieShow.com.

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• JoZettie’s Cupcakes 239.9289, 1404 South Decatur Street. JoZettie’s Cupcakes is please to offer a variety of cupcakes, cakes, cookies and pies for the holidays or your special occasion. Please visit us at www. jzcupcakes.wix.com or on Facebook under JoZettie’s Cupcakes.

CAKES/ FINGER FOOD • Bruster’s Ice Cream & Yogurt 272.7369, 6835 Vaughn Road and 239-7004, 9182 Boyd Copper Parkway. Select from 8” round cake or 9x12 cake Choose ice cream and one of the cake flavors. Pick a rich middle layer of fudge or caramel. All cakes are “iced” with fresh vanilla ice cream. For pies, choose from fresh ice cream over a thick, rich layer of fudge, caramel, marshmallow, or your favorite topping. All pies are available in Oreo or Graham Cracker Crust. We also have pies available. • Cake Designs 288.6900, 3651 Debby Dr. in LeCroy Village. Specialty cakes all offered with professional decorating. Specialize in children’s birthday parties. Closed on Sunday and Monday. • Cupcakes by Tish (334) 356.5292, 1759 Eastern Blvd., and 832.8288, 355 South Kelly Street (Maxwell Airforce Base). Specializing in gourmet cupcakes for all occasions. Wide variety of Daily Flavors listed on our website. 48 hours advanced notice for orders placed that are not on daily menu. Please visit us at www.cupcakesbytish.com. • Dairy Queen 244.9490, 6120 Atlanta Hwy and 272.1818, 3160 Taylor Road. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, and chocolate crunch. 8” round $21.49, 10” round $23.49, sheet cakes $32.99. Blizzard Cakes are 8 in” $26.49, 10 in” $29.99 and a sheet cake $40.99. All can be personalized at no additional charge. Prices are an approximate and vary a little depending on location. • GiGi’s Cupcakes 356.3737, 7918 Vaughn Road. Nothing makes a special day unforgettable like a custom cupcake creation from Gigi’s. Special selection offered every day of the week. You may order online at our website and pick up at the store or view our daily menu online. http://www. gigiscupcakesusa.com/montgomeryalabama • Great American Cookie Co. at Eastchase 356.8111, 7048 Eastchase Pkwy. Choose from 16” round for $28.99, 16” square for $32.99 and large Rectangular for $37.99. Montgomery Parents I July 2016

• Liger’s Bakery 288.6550, 3040 McGehee Rd. Any flavor birthday cake, round or sheet, decorated with flowers, fruit, etc. We also have cookies, cupcakes and sandwiches available. Please call for flavors and pricing. You may also visit us on Facebook under Liger’s Bakery or at www. ligersgood.com. • Original Great American Cookie Co. 271.1900, Eastdale Mall. Up to 13 different varieties of cookies: 12” round $23.99, 16” round $28.99, 16” square $33.99 and sheet cookie $37.99.

ENTERTAINMENT

parties and so much more. We service the Montgomery area and we look forward to reaching out and serving the children of this great city. We introduce the concept of S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Please call for more information. www.bricks4kidz.com/397 or on Facebook under Bricks for Kidz of Montgomery • DJ at Large 260.9732. Offers a variety of music plus karaoke and light shows for your child’s party. Video parties 12 ft. screens and popular videos. We can also provide the building for the party for an extra charge. Provides age appropriate music and will censor music to your discretion. Please call for pricing. “We put you first.” Email: DJ@AtLarge.com Website: www.DJatLarge.com.

Dynamite Magic & Balloons ad on page 66

270.1234, Visit www.dynamitemagicandballoons.com. Helium tank rentals (varying prices and sizes). Balloon decorations. Costumed characters available. Please visit our website to see the characters we have to offer. Characters do a 20 minute show with several songs and deliver balloons. Magic & clown Shows available. • Fontaine Entertainment 514.4457. “We are serious about your fun.” Offer DJ sound, light shows, karaoke, balloon decorations and theme decorations for birthday parties, corporate events, civic events, weddings, etc. Three hr. minimum. Please visit on Facebook under Fontaine Entertainment.

• Big Green Bus The Big Green Bus brings the party to you! The Big Green Bus is a school bus that has been converted into a safe and fun preschool gymnastics facility. Many elements of gymnastics are combined into one fun filled hour on board the Big Green Bus! Our party includes a zip-line, tumbling mats, monkey bar, rock wall, slides, tunnels, beam, bar, vault, rings, parachute games, and more! We will introduce your child to the wild and crazy world of gymnastics. The birthday child will receive a Big Green Bus shirt! Goody bags are included in the prices. To schedule your party, please call Amber Holley at (334) 324.4628, or visit us on Facebook under Big Green Bus of Montgomery

• Glitterbug the Clown! (334) 868.3876 Birthday parties, face painting, magic, balloon animals, temporary airbrush tattoos for the older kids! Tiger grams and Tiger Bombs also available! For booking info. please visit us at www.glitterbugtheclown.com or call (334) 868.3876. You may also email kimpossible21@gmail.com

• Big Red Fire Truck A member of the Big Green Bus Family. Our one hour party package includes: Children (ages 2 and up) enjoy the excitement of climbing on board and exploring a real working fire truck, inside and out, turn on sirens and flashing lights, Try on realistic fire fighter gear including pants, jacket suspenders, hats and fire extinguishers, Firefighter themed games, Fire safety lesson, Birthday child and parent get to ride around the neighborhood in the fire truck and turn on the lights and sirens, Fire extinguisher water guns for summer parties, Birthday child gets a Big Red Fire Truck shirt, and Fire truck themed goodies for up to 15 guests. Please call Jeff for information at (334) 868.9144 or visit us on Facebook under Big Red Firetruck of Montgomery.

• Kindermusik of Montgomery 271.3264 or Hallhome96@aol.com. Travel to party location. 30 minutes of music class for $50. Several themes to choose from. All instruments provided.

Bricks 4 Kids ad on page 90

(334) 721.4111, Stephanie Shuford Afterschool enrichment, in-school workshops, birthday

• K & S DJ Services 285.6686. Over 20 years experience offering entertainment music, interactive games and party props for all ages. 2 disc jockeys for every party/ event. Please visit us at www.kns-djservice.com or on Facebook.

Rolling Video Games of Alabama ad on page 65

(334) 272.0028 or (855) 844.GAME. We bring the party to you! A climate controlled, customized, self powered, mobile video game theatre. Now offering pizza with 2 hours party game package. Please visit us at www. rollingvideogames.com • RockStar Parties and Events 399.6962. DJ and Staged events. Stage and lights available. Available for any type of event. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rockstarevent or our website at www.rockstarevent.com

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EQUIPMENT / GAME RENTALS • Arrow Rents 277.0463, 5600 Calmar Dr., Montgomery. Tents, tables, chairs, carnival equipment, fans, and bounce rides. All sorts of themed decor, balloons, helium tanks, and more. Provide great selection and even better prices. “Your one stop party shop.” Please visit our website at www.arrowrents.com. • Bradley’s Events & Décor (334) 230.7555, 969 Lagoon Business Loop. Bradley’s Events & Décor provides unique and innovative décor for all occasions. Please visit us at www.bradleysevents.com or visit us on Facebook at Bradley’s Events & Décor. • Brendle Rentals 279.7368, 485 N. East Blvd. Party supplies. Inflatables. Obstacle courses and other rides, carnival games, slide, bungee run, tents and train. We setup at City parks and provide insurance. www.brendlerentals.com. • Moonwalk Montgomery 277.2351. Moonwalks, Giant slides, Interactive inflatable, Obstacle Courses, Rides, Rock-Climbing wall, and much, much more. Rentals for special events. Please visit us at www.moonwalkofmontgomery.com.

• Space Walk of Montgomery (334) 273.0204, What do you want to celebrate today? Setups for Birthday Parties, Daycare Events, Community/civic Events, School Carnivals and Sporting Events. We offer inflatable Space Walks, Water Slides, Obstacle Courses, Combos, Concessions and much more. Visit www.herecomesfun.com/mtg for more information.

The Spacewalker, Allen Bowen ad on page 67

546.8116, 1514 West Street. We are a locally owned family business. Inflatable cinemas rental. We have a variety of moon walks, slides, games, slide combos, obstacle courses, characters and more... We also rent tables, tents, generators, chairs, balloons and concession machines. We now offer an indoor facility. We offer monthly specials. Please visit our website at www.thespacewalker.com . “You supply the people, we supply the fun.”

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS • Allison Hilyer Photography 315.5425; Allison Hilyer is an on location natural light photographer that specialized in telling your story by custom lifestyle portraiture. Please visit www. allisonhilyerphotography.com for recent work, faqs and packages. You may also visit me on Facebook under Allison Hilyer Photography.

• Jennifer’s Photo Box (334) 954.8098; Natural light photographer. Specializes in family photo shoots, kids, camps, parties. Themes available. Please visit me on Facebook at Jennifer’s Photo Box.

Lori Mercer Photography ad on page 67

399.1884; Up to 2 hours coverage, disc of printable files, online gallery to share with family and friends. Please call for pricing. Reserve your date early as availability is limited. Please visit my website at www. lorimercerphotography.com. • Mishka Cole Photography (334) 220.6690; Available for Weddings, Family & Children Photo Sessions, Prom, Senior/Graduation Photo sessions, Special Events & Birth Photography. Please visit my website at www.mishkacole.com or on Facebook under Fotos by Mishka.

LIMOUSINES • Touch of Class Limousine 284.2673. Carry up to 14 passengers at a time. Can pick up kids and ride them around or take them for pizza, etc. and then back home. These limos have all the extras for a fun time - red carpet, DVD for movies, a Birthday sign! Call for details.

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PAPER GOODS/ DECORATIONS/ INVITATIONS • Amy’s Hallmark 215.2257, 7842 Vaughn Rd. (on the corner of Vaughn and Taylor Rd) Paper/party goods, gifts, invitations, and an assortment of cards. • Arrow Rents 277.0463, 5600 Calmar Dr., Montgomery. All sorts of theme decor, balloons, helium tanks, and more. We provide a better selection. “Your one stop party shop.” • Brendle Rentals 260.5568, 485 North Eastern Bypass, Montgomery’s Oldest Party Supply Store. Balloons, piñatas, party goods. Large array of items for themed parties. Party favors and birthday bags now available.

• Sunday Dinner 272.7000, 5455 Atlanta Hwy. Plates, cups, chafing dishes, large quantity food items.

• FedEx Office 277.1477, 2240 East Blvd. in Promenade North. Full color banners and our custom design and print. Website: www.fedex.com.

PARTY PLANNERS

• Kwik KopyShop 244.0444, 4148 Carmichael Rd. Print custom invitations. Wide variety of designer invitations for theme parties such as pool, slumber, tea, zoo, carousel, western, bowling, skating, dancing, etc. 8 1/2 x 11 designed papers are available for you to do it yourself. Fast turn around.

• Academy Events and Catering 318.3047, 17 Coosa Street, Montgomery. Our goal is to exceed our customer’s expectations. Our specialties are our cakes and floral. Let us cater your special events with our own facility available for rent. Please visit us at www.academychefs.com. • Personal Touch Wedding and Catering 279.6279, 9920 Wares Ferry Rd. Complete party planning. Call for more information.

PRINTED INVITATIONS

• Capital City Copy Shop 230.9681, 2701 Poplar St. Invitations printed. Printing, copying, pick up, delivery, fax services available. Please visit our website at www.capitalcitycopyshop.com.

• Party City 409.0901, 2759 Eastern Blvd. A one-stop party store that provides a wide selection of merchandise at everyday low prices. Discounts up to 50% off party ensembles.

• Creative Printing 281.1315, 2501 East Fifth Street. Everything is custom made for that extra special birthday. Please visit us at http://www.creativeprinting.us.com

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

• The Paper Lady Specializing in reasonably priced invitations, birth announcements, calling cards, thank you notes and more. Also an authorized Sweet Pea Designs dealer. To view the full selection of papers visit www.thepaperlady.net.

UNIQUE GIFTS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS • A 2 Z Toys 356.9648, 7248 Eastchase Parkway A full service toy store that offers a truly unique toyshopping experience. Complimentary gift -wrapping available. Please visit us on Facebook at A – Z Toys. • Alabama Shakespeare Festival Gift Shop 271.5358, Blount Cultural Park. Theatre-related gifts.

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Brush Fire T-shirts, jewelry, tumblers and many, many more.

• Amy’s Hallmark 215.2257, 7842 Vaughn Rd. (on the corner of Vaughn and Taylor Rd) Paper/party goods, gifts, invitations, and an assortment of cards.

• Heather Pierce Designs 676.1807, 7936 Vaughn Rd Heather Pierce Designs specializes in personalized gifts. We offer tile décor including tumbled marble coasters, trivets and magnets. Please visit us on Facebook under Heather Pierce Designs.

• Barb’s on Mulberry 269.BARB (2272), 1923 Mulberry Street. Will personalize lots of gift items. Choose from a wide variety of unique and personalized gifts. Closed on Mondays. We now do birthday parties. Call for more details or visit our website at www.barbsonmulberry.com. • Capitol City Comics 215.3335, 7939 Vaughn Rd. (Festival Plaza). Large selection of comics, gaming cards, and statues. Military and college student discounts. • The Dollhouse Toy Store 239.7326, 1963 Mulberry Street. Two stories of toys for boys and girls of all ages featuring Lionel trains, Breyer horses, Melissa & Doug toys, Thomas & Friends, and many other crafts, games, toys and collectibles. Open 10 am-6 pm Tuesday thru Saturday. • Embellish (334) 649.2022, 7056 Atlanta Hwy, Large selection of items to be monogrammed. Book bags, Scout bags,

• Jan Beale’s You Name It 272.9878, 5350 A Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery. We specialize in monogrammed and personalized gifts for all occasions. You’ll find exceptional gift items for baby, children, and adults. Many of our items can be monogrammed or personalized, adding that very special touch to your gift. Please visit us on our Facebook page under Jan Beale’s You Name It. • Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Gift Shop 240.4337. Blount Cultural Park. You will find a wide assortment of unique gifts that are handcrafted by local artists for that special someone.

My Kids Attic ad on page 27

We are now open and accepti new Medicaid patients! (334) 801-9800

270.1456, 401 Coliseum Blvd. Eastbrook Shopping Center. We offer something for the everything in your life. Specialty gifts, home décor, candles, jewelry, pewter, children’s couture, vinyl and monogrammed gifts. Please visit us on Facebook at The Shoppes of My Kids Attic.

We are now open and accepting new Medicaid patients! (334) 801-9800

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Dr. Shobha Hosur and her staff are dedicated to helping children get “on the right track” to great dental health! 553 N Eastern Blvd • Montgomer y, Alabama www.ToothBudsAtLagoonPark.com 61

www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents

• Old Alabama Town Gift Shop 240.4500, 301 Columbus St. Regional and old-fashioned gift items. • Periwinkles 277.3570, 8189 Vaughn Road. Make your gift decisions from a large selection of popular items in our store. • The Goat Hill Museum Store 353.4969, located in Alabama’s State Capitol Building. Civil War, Civil Rights- Books, Local Artwork, Toys, Collectibles, Ornaments, Music, Videos, Cookbooks, Pottery, Souvenirs, and Unique Southern Gifts. Union Street Entrance. Open Mon.-Fri, 8:00 - 4:30 and Sat. from 9-4 (Sat. please enter through the Union St. entrance). • The Montgomery Zoo Gift Shop 240.4900, 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Off the Northern Blvd. Animal-related toys, shirts, masks, jewelry. Great gifts for the animal lover. • Quality Comix 272.1787, 7968Vaughn Rd. Located in the Sturbridge Plaza. Talk with Jason for your comics or sports trading cards needs. • The Turtle Shell 358.0902, 160 W. Main St., Prattville. Educational items including reading games, room decorations, math workbooks, gifts for birthdays, science kits, puzzles and music.

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

• The Velvet Pumpkin 273.9293, 8185 Vaughn Rd., Pepper Tree Annex. Beautiful selection of unique Clothing, Vera Bradley, frames and bath items.

her birthday party. Painting parties and face painting available. Visit the website for more information. www. abrakadoodle.com.

• Things Remembered 271.9509, 7056 Eastchase Pkwy. Personalized gifts for all occasions. Name badges, monogramming on blankets, and engraving on items bought elsewhere. Please visit us online at www.thingsremembered.com

• Do Re Mi 239.7846, 2787 Bell Road DoReMi Karaoke is an exciting way to have fun. Rooms available to rent for birthday parties, corporate gettogethers, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. We offer a large diverse song collection.

• Tucker Pecan Company 262.4470, 350 N McDonough St., Montgomery. Come by and visit us for a unique selection of gifts, tumblers, jewelry and more. Please visit www.tuckerpecan.com.

P’zazz Art Studio

YARD SIGNS • Flamingo-A-Friend 279.3737. Choose from flamingos (assorted colors), smiley faces, cows & pigs, penguins, elephants, or footballs to fill your yard and surprise your birthday child when they awake. Set up before 6:30 a.m. and clean up by 6 p.m. Please call for rates.

PLACES TO PARTY ARTISTIC • Abrakadoodle 265.5758. Creative art fun for your child for his or

ad on page 60

354.1975, 138 W. Main St., Downtown Prattville If you are looking for a unique place for a birthday party…then P’zazz is your place. Birthday Party Packages start at $175 for up to 12 children. $15 for each additional child. This includes the use of P’zazz for 2 hours, a 16x20 canvas for each guest, supplies, and instruction on how to paint a picture of your choice. Each child will leave with a completed painting as their party favor. Guests are allowed to bring in their own food and drink. We provide time for each and to open gifts. Please visit our website at www.prattville.pzazzart.com for more information.

PLACES TO PARTY - BOWLING • BAMA Lanes Inc 272.5423, 3020 Atlanta Hwy. Package A) $10.00 per

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• Brunswick Zone 819.7171, 1661 Eastern Blvd. Birthday party packages available. Please visit our website or call to build your birthday party package. Add-ons available and deposit required. Please call for more info. Please visit our website at www.bowlbrunswick.com.

PLACES TO PARTY - CHEER

/ GYMNASTICS / DANCE • Ballerina Birthday Parties at CJ’s Dance Factory (334) 467.8603; Have a dance celebration with all your friends hosted by a beautiful ballerina. Our ballerinas captivates birthday guests for a good 30 minutes with a mini-dance lesson, performance and activities. Saturdays and Sundays only. Book your party today by calling: 334-467-8603. Please visit us on Facebook under C.J.’s Dance Factory home of The Prattville Ballet.

• Montgomery Ballet (334) 409.0522, 2101 Eastern Boulevard, Ste. 223, Montgomery. Parties hosted by Montgomery Ballet Professional Company Members. Have your very own Dance Class for you and your friends! Princess characters available! Call for details.

Tonya Speed Dance ad on page 90

277.1098, 3370 Harrison Road. We offer the best and most convenient venue for your child’s themed birthday party. We will help you customize the party and make it perfect and memorable. Parties start at $200 and up with themed parties such as Frozen, “Sassy Spa”, Pretty Princess, Tumbling Toddlers, Disco, Hip Hop, Dis-

neymania, “Teen”, ‘Hoe Down, Throw Down’ and more. Please visit www.tonyaspeeddanceconnection.com. • United Gymstars 284.2244, 6100 Brewbaker Blvd., off Troy Hwy. Website: www.unitedgymstars.com. Gymnastics, trampoline, recreational activities, supervised games, and birthday party room. We provide the facility and activities; you provide the cake, decorations and food. Cost of $175 is for 15 guests and the birthday child.

PLACES TO PARTY -

MARTIAL ARTS • Docarmo’s Taekwondo Center 220.5835, 3179 Taylor Rd. (Sturbridge Shopping Center), Docarmo’s Birthday Bash. Use of Docarmo’s facilities which means you don’t have to worry about the mess! A taekwondo Intro class. We send out the invitations for you. We provide a variety of FUN games for entertainment. You may bring in your own choice of food. Minimum of 10 children. Prices are based on 1.5 hour party on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. Free lessons offered on all participants. www. trytkdfree.com • Family Karate Center 277.4911, 8159 Vaughn Rd., Pepper Tree Shopping Center. Parties now available 7 days a week from 2 and

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We don’t wonder anymore how it happened, that one summer could bring such happy memories.

New friends are now best friends. New experiences are now the best times ever. No wonder it’s so easy to tell others about it and include them in the fun.

Welcome to Riverview Camp for Girls!

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Riverview Reﬁnement, Program, Campﬁres night,Recognized optional trips and more! We’ve put together everythingCIT you’re looking for in a perfect every camp setting! as one of the Southeast’s best all-around summer camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness. Spring and Fall &available 2 week Sessions ages to 16... Mother-Daughter Weekends1are also! Registeredfor Nurses and6 Physician on Staff. Entire full-summer staff is First Aid andand CPRFall Certified. Camper/Counselor Ratio 5:1 Spring Mother-Daughter Weekends...

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• BAMA Lanes, Prattville 358.8600, 1714 East Main St., Weekday Party Hours Monday-Thursday 10:30 – 3:30 and Friday 10:30 to 6 p.m. plus weekend parties. Various packages available.

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child plus tax, 2 hour party, Full birthday party setup, shoe rental, bumpers, ice cream, soft drink, Happy Birthday bowling pin/balloon bouquet. Package Six child minimum with a $20.00 deposit. Weekday, Weekend or Evening (subject to lane availability)

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up. We now offer a Karate Kid Movie Birthday Party. We offer fun wholesome birthday parties at our facility. Included in our parties are 2 hours of jam-packed fun, including: each guest will receive a 1 month FREE pass to Stranger Danger, Free Stranger Danger Demonstration at every Birthday party. Ask Mom First, and the Bully Buster program. Birthday child and guests receive a FREE uniform. Kung Fu Panda Balance Beam, Fun and exciting coordination skills & drills, Board Breaking Contest, Samurai Frisbee, Ninja Ball Bounce, Power Ranger relays, SWAT (Student Winning Attitude Team) Team Exercises, STORM (Student Team of Role Models) Team Demonstration and Teen Team Demonstration Squad. Stranger Danger Child ID Packages provided so mom does not have to supply gift bags. Mother of Birthday child, Birthday child and guests receive gifts. Master Coker will do all the work so moms can just show up and have fun. If Birthday child signs up for classes that day then the party is FREE. If any guest signs up for classes they get a free party. Parties for 2-4 year olds now offered. Unlimited guests.

Fleming Martial Arts ad on page 66

4315 Atlanta Hwy., 277.5425. We have a 4,000 square foot facility for 1½ hours of fun. We provide the entertainment, tables and chairs and you provide the food, paper and utensils. Call us for pricing and to book your party. Please visit our website at www.flemingsmartialarts.com.

• Johnson Karate & Fitness Academy 2801 Vaughn Plaza Rd. Suite J, 284.2344 $150 for 1.5 hours of pure fun. You provide the food and we provide the fun. Please call for information. • NextGen Martial Arts, Prattville (334) 590.3759, 698 Old Farm Lane S, Prattville Parties are 1.5 hours. Karate fun and games. Parents provide paper products and cake and food. Call for pricing. Please visit us at www.nextgenmartialarts.com. • Tiger Park Taekwondo 277.2627, 3125 Bell Road. Come party with us! We provide the facility, demonstration, mini-taekwondo class and Birthday child gets to break a board. You provide food and cleanup. Please call them for information. • Tiger Rock Martial Arts 244.1465, 2750 Bell Rd. Academy facility for 1.5 hours. 45-minute Martial Arts lesson taught by one of our certified instructors. Parties scheduled on Saturdays. Includes a martial arts class with basic skills and agility games. Parents supply party decoration, treats and eats. We supply the facility, entertainment and clean up. Let us help make your birthday party fun and easy. Please visit us at www. tigerrockmontgomery.com for pricing and more information.

PLACES TO PARTY -

MISCELLANEOUS Adventure Sports Aquatic Center ad on page 62

269.3483, 1546 East Ann Street. www.adventuresports2.com. Indoor and outdoor pools, kiddie pool, grilling and picnic area. Price of $200 includes lifeguard up to 20 children over 8 for two hours. You bring food and cake. Additional lifeguard it $50. Under age of 8 the limit is 16 per lifeguard. Call for details. • Antique Train Rides Call toll free (205) 668.3435, Located in Calera, 60 miles north of Montgomery. Party takes place in the restored Amtrak car. Includes an hour train ride through the woods and by the interstate. Parents can set up party in our restored Amtrak car. Kids can also look through the old railroad yard. Hostesses are available but parents supply food and supplies. Theme parties available (Thomas the Train…etc.) Please call for dates and party packages or visit us at www.hodrrm.org for birthday information. • Bell Road YMCA 271.4343, 2435 Bell Rd. Please contact Jackie Gentry for parties for members. Can rent pool, building or

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both. Goodtimes Waterpark: $350 for 2 hours which includes lifeguards. Bell Road Indoor Pool Complex: $250 for 2 hours includes lifeguards. Bell Road Outdoor Pool: $200 for 2 hours which includes lifeguards. Adventure Room: $100 for 2 hours during business hours (2:30-4:30 p.m.) on Saturday. Please call for more information and availability. Inflatables party room at Goodtimes with eating area. Sat. & Sundays only. Please call Goodtimes for more information about Inflatables party at 279-8878. • Chuck E Cheese 281.9290, 1116 Eastdale Mall. Three party packages offered. Star Package: Two hours of reserved table space, $10 in tokens per child , personal party host/ hostess, Two slices of one topping pizza per child, soft drinks with free refills per child, Ticket Blaster experience for the Birthday Star with the Magic Ticket worth 1,000 tickets, star recognition in our birthday show, Superhero Mask or Princess tiara for the birthday child, superhero cape or princess cape for the birthday star, superhero or princess tabletop photo cutout, tablecloth and plateware and email invitations. Superstar package: includes everything in the Star package plus 1,000 Ticket voucher for the birthday star, collectible cup per child, additional $5.00 tokens per child and special gift for the birthday child. Mega super star package: includes everything in the star & super star package plus, Chuck E. Cheese goody bag per child, pull string piñata with 40 tokens and 400 tickets, chocolate or vanilla ice cream cup per child, and $20 in tokens per child. Please visit us at www.chuckecheese.com. • East Branch YMCA 272.3390, 3407 Pelzer Ave. Parties for members. Indoor and outdoor pools. Outdoor pool includes slide and splash pool. YMCA provides lifeguards for party.

Eastdale Mall Island Carousel ad on page 43

270.2736 (located outside of Belks). 4 Tables available for you to set up. If you come early you can hold them. We can not reserve the tables. Child and 9 friends ride one time for FREE. • FC Montgomery Soccer Capital City Sportsplex, 1555 Eastern Blvd., (334) 207.5442 (indoor/air conditioned) We offer a broad spectrum of party opportunities and are very flexible because we are here to serve you and make your event special. Our parties can last 1, 2, or 3 hours, and include fun sports games, races, and short sided games. You will have full use of our kitchen, fridges, and the dining area. If you want it to be super easy, put us in charge of setting up tables, ordering the cake, drinks, or lunch. Cost: $100 for 1 hour, $175 for 2 hours and $230 for 3 hours. Add-ons are available for additional fees. Please visit www.fcmontgomery.com and contact coach Bruno brunomr@fcmontgomery. com or (334) 207.5442.

Go Karting Montgomery ad on page 62

(334) 271.2020, 9033 Wares Ferry Road www.gokartingmontgomery.com. Come just for fun or book a party! • McWane Center, Birmingham They do it all - cake, punch, ice cream, paper products and, if you like, goodie bags. If you want a special

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science demonstration while you celebrate, they can also provide that. Your group will party in one of the colorful party rooms, then take to the museum floor for a full day of hands-on science fun and discovery. Of course, you can also see a movie while there. For cost details and reservations, call (205) 714.8369 or visit our website: www.mcwane.org. • Prattville East YMCA 358.9622, 972 McQueen Smith Rd., Party room for members and non-members. Pool rental for members. Party room has a $20 deposit and is $190.00 for non-members and $140 for members. This includes 1 ½ hours of entertainment, hostess, sheet cake, cups, plates, napkins, silverware for 15 children. Cost for each additional child is $2. Birthday child receives a free t-shirt. You provide ice, ice cream and drinks. Themed parties also available. Call for more details.

Pump It Up! ad on page 65

277.5678, 1029 Lagoon Business Loop, off the Northern Blvd. Website: www.pumpitupparty.com. We are on the 10 Best Birthday Parties list from Parents Magazine Nationally. Only at “The Inflatable Party Zone” can you enjoy a private, indoor party with giant interactive inflatable play structures. A Pump It Up party is a fun and unforgettable event for ages 2 to adult! We offer three party packages. Surf our website for more information, or give us a call. Don’t forget to bring your socks!

Rockin Jump ad on page 55

239.2587, 5544 Atlanta Hwy. The Ultimate trampoline park. Ultimate Party Package includes: 2 hours of party time, 90 minutes of jump time, 2 pizzas, 2 pitchers of soda, Private party room, dedicated party host, set up and clean up, editable invitations, private games and lanes and a special party “Shout out”. Please visit our website at www.rockinjump.com.

Smiles Galore ad on page 64

269.2895, Montgomery. Plans parties for children. Many themes to choose from. Dress up, crafts, canvas painting, pirates, banana split Sundaes, superhero party, cowboy party, Princess party, just to name a few. Also do Stuff-n-fluff, Stuff a purse, Noahsaurs and Bella B Glamour workshop for girls. Set up is included. We do as much or as little as you like for us to do. All ages. One call takes care of all your party needs. Visit us on the web at www.smilesgaloreinc.com.

Splattered Woods Paintball ad on page 90

300.2417, 2151 Cantelou Road, Montgomery, Al. Mobile paintball supply sales and service. We hose parties at your field or our location: Birthday Parties/Team Building/Youth Groups. We can build custom games to fit your needs. Friendly Christian sales and service. Please visit us at www.splatteredwoodspaintball.com

for party packages available and more information. Please visit us on Facebook at Splattered Woods Paintball by E&S Hobbies.

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Sylvan Learning Center

ad on page 18

262.0043. 2640 Zelda Road www.sylvanlearning.com/montgomery Education Center / STEM Education Provider Robotics / Engineering Birthday Party Packages Available! Kids will construct and animate a project as they learn STEM terms and concepts. Projects are animated with motors and sensors using coding software. Call or email for more info at cd@montgomerysylvan.com.

Walnut Place Party Venue ad on page 60

202.3287; 1921 & 1927 Walnut Street, Montgomery. Email feelinglin@aol.com for details. New Party Venue for Rent! Bring your own party supplies or caterer. Fresh modern suites available. Offers secure private parking, Asian-inspired design with open spaces and courtyard.

PLACES TO PARTY - OUTDOORS • Montgomery Zoo 240.4900, 2301 Coliseum Parkway. Rent a shelter and host your own birthday party. Pay regular ad-

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mission for each child or qualify for a group discount with 20 or more children. Reservations required.

Shade Tree Riding Academy ad on page 19

290.3727 or 546-3964, 566 Thornfield Dr., Millbrook. Gentle, experienced horses, easy trail and knowledgeable staff to assist beginners. Call to reserve your party. • YMCA Camp Chandler 229.0035,Wetumpka, on Lake Jordan 30 minutes from Montgomery. Great birthday idea for kids 5 to 15. Ten child minimum. This three hour block of time includes 2-3 activities that you and your child choose, and starting or ending with meal served in the Dining Hall (if you choose the meal option). Parents may bring cake and ice cream to be served with the meal. Cost with a meal: $20.00 per child (10 child minimum) Cost without a meal: $15.00 per child (10 child minimum) Please call for private party info.

PLACES TO PARTY - PARKS • Millbrook Memorial Ctr & Village Green Park 285.6428, On Main Street and Grandview. Incredible wooden playground with castle, space shuttle, boat, etc. We have picnic tables and picnic shelter. First come first serve. Memorial Center rents for $200 for a one day rental + a $100 security deposit which can be returned upon inspection of facilities and return of the key. Handicap accessible facility. Call for more information or visit www.cityofmillbrook.org under parks and recreation tab for more information. • Montgomery City Parks 241.2300, Speak with Ann Huebner to reserve picnic shelters all day for Lagoon Park, Buddy Watson Park, Ida Belle Young Park, Oak Park, Gateway and AUM Park. Large shelters are $50 for all day and $25 for 1/2 day. Small shelters are $40 for full day and $20 for half day. All parks are first come first serve and open to the public. Make shelter reservations as early as possible. Pete Peterson Lodge in Lagoon Park is also available for rent and is air conditioned and heated. Price starts at $300 during week, and $400 on weekends for 4 hours. Gateway Lodge is $600 during the week and $800 on the weekend. Gateway has a caterer’s kitchen. This books fast so call early. Please visit www.montgomeryal.gov click on departments and then parks and recreations. • Prattville Parks 361.3640. City park shelters are $25 for 4 hrs. & $50 for 8 hrs. Cooter’s Pond pavilions rent for $35 or $75 depending on which pavilion. The Doster Community Center: auditorium $350 for 10 hours, dining hall $200 for 10 hours. The kitchen with either one of these rooms is an additional $75.00. Upper Kingston Community Center rents for $200 for 10 hours. Call Department of Leisure Services to reserve. • Wetumpka Parks 567.5147 for details on Gold Star Park (no rental fee if available), Jeanette Barrett Civic Room in Gold Star Park rents for individual $40, business $50 and church $25 ($50 refundable deposit). Martin Luther King Recreation Center (requires a $300 refundable cash deposit) 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for $115. Civic Center in Wetumpka, large room with kitchen, $500 refundable deposit, $125 cleaning fee and $1075 rental for 10a.m. until 12a.m. Call 567.3002 for details about Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park, off US 231, Wetumpka 165-

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similar packages. Cost varies slightly. Includes a Ronald McDonald cake, hamburger kid’s meal, ice cream, hostess, and party favors are supplied. Access to PlayLand after the party. • Nancy’s Italian Ice 356.1403, 7976 Vaughn Rd. (Sturbridge Shopping Center) Ice and cupcakes available for purchase. • Pizza Hut 265.6000. Offered at all Montgomery locations as well as Prattville, Wetumpka and Clanton. Costs vary. Call for details.

acre park area includes nature trails, campgrounds, picnic pavilion, museum, boat launch, and fort. Would be a great place for either a Pocahontas Party or a Wild West Party.

PLACES TO PARTY -

RESTAURANTS • Chick Fil A 271.0104, 2682 Eastern Blvd and Eastchase Pkwy., Montgomery. Playground and reserved section. Kids meal and toy, ice cream and visit from Cow (mascot) on request. Please call your local Chik Fil A for pricing. Every child gets a balloon. • Cici’s Pizza 386.3086, 981 Ann St. Cost by age,. Ages 10 and under, $4.72 per person; adults $8.56 including your drink of choice. You bring cake and Cici’s does the rest. • McDonald’s Call individual stores for cost and details. Most offer

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

PLACES TO PARTY -

SKATING

Eastdale Mall Ice Palace ad on page 43

277.2088. 10 or more people. Free birthday invitations and reserved table outside the rink. You bring cake and everything you need. Please call for pricing. • Looney’s Skating Rink 281.1032, 3541 McGehee Rd. Wide variety of party packages for all different ages. Please call for details and pricing. All parties require a non-refundable deposit at booking. You may bring cake, big cookie & ice cream only. Our friendly staff will setup, serve and cleanup your party. Any of the private party packages can be customized to meet your needs. All private party packages include 1-1/2 hour rink rental, invitations, admission, plates, napkins, sporks, cups, drinks during cake serving time, popcorn, and Stuff Shop party favor bags…all you do is bring a cake or big cookie. Pizza Party Packages are also available. www.looneysskate.com

PLACES TO PARTY -

TEA / DRESS-UP • Gazebo Tea Room 414 Perry Hill Road, 277.1839. A wonderful place for a girl’s tea party. Choose your own teacup and tea to sip. Finger foods available. Call for more information. Please visit us on Facebook under The Gazebo Tea Room. • Paint and Clay (334) 819.4450, 66 Dalraida Rd. Contact: Karen Kornosky. Girls Tea Party--Each child will paint two tea cups and saucers, one to keep and one for the birthday girl. The birthday girl paints the teapot and has a set of cups to treasure made by her friends. Other party themes available for boys and girls. Canvas parties are now available. Please visit us at our website: www. paintandclaystudio.com.

Smiles Galore ad on page 64

If your business was not listed in this year’s Birthday Party Planner, please email editor@montgomeryparents.com with all the information and we’ll include you in our next Birthday Issue!

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Light Up the Toy Box There is an abundance of toys featuring various kinds of illumination on the market. Because the human eye naturally seeks out contrast between light and dark, lights are understandably popular additions that inject extra flash into playtime. Adding glow-in-the-dark features to toys and games that also motivate a degree of assembly double down on honing kids’ attention to play. Cultivate a child’s

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

focus with the following illuminating choices that command attention as they brighten up the play landscape.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Sands Alive Glow Super Set

Max Traxxx R/C Tracer Racers

Sand castle construction rises to a new level with the Sands Alive Glow Super Set. Featuring three pounds of sand that not only glows under black light, but also holds light and designs ‘drawn’ with a UV pen (included), the possibilities for creative sand design are endless. The set comes with a large play tray to minimize mess and also includes shape molds, rollers, and special UV glasses so young sand sculptors can review their glowing handiwork in real time. Glow-inthe-dark technology, creativity and traditional sand play combine in an all-in-one great play set for kids who like to sink their hands into a good time.

Traditional race tracks can’t hold a candle to the glowing features offered in the Max Traxxx R/C Tracer Racer Starter Set. With twenty feet of glow-in-the-dark race track, designing a challenging course is only half the fun. The two R/C vehicles (included) feature undercarriage lights which leave a trail of illumination on the race way as they scorch along the tracks. The tracks are easy to assemble and the cars operate at variable speeds – until the drivers are ready to really open them up and blaze down the straight way. In dim lighting, the magnificent effects produced by the bright racers on this track will bring the grandstands and drivers to their feet!

Glow-in-the-Dark Celestial Connectagons

Laser Pegs 12-in-1 Race Car Building Set

Looking at the night sky over time reveals a stellar panorama with points of light that are always moving and changing. Reflecting the shifting puzzle of the heavens, Hearthsong’s Glow-in-the-Dark Celestial Connectagon set includes 157-piece interlocking pieces that feature moon phases, constellations, and galaxies rendered in glowing paint. How the parts connect is at the command of the builder – tall and towering, broad and expansive – the universe is theirs to illuminate. The longer the construct is exposed to light, the brighter the features will glow-in-the-dark. Just like the universe, the Celestial Connectagon Set is an expanding exploration that punctuates the dark with magical points of light.

Building a car is just one of the possibilities that can emerge into the light with the Laser Pegs 12-in1 Race Car Building Set. With 84 tinted construction elements and 20 laser pegs, young modelers can use the instructions to craft a rocket, a robot, a submarine and more glowing marvels (in addition to the sleek race car design). Once the models are complete they easily connect to the battery-operated power base and come to life with hypnotically beautiful illumination. Supporting creative reasoning alongside directed design, this set lights up the modeling landscape with its versatility and bright vision.

(Max Traxxx)

(Sands Alive)

(Laser Pegs)

(Hearthsong)

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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The Family Birth Center at Jackson Hospital

has received a spectacular $3-million renovation.

We think you’ll love the colorful mosaic mural and light, airy color scheme that lets you know you’ve arrived in a special place. And we can’t wait to show you the spacious labor, delivery and postpartum suites so that you and your family can share in your joy. New stateof-the-art equipment and experienced nurses will give you and your baby the exceptional care you’d expect in one of Alabama’s most advanced obstetrical facilities. Come see why Jackson Hospital is the premier location in the River Region to welcome your new baby.

TAKE A TOUR OF THE $3-MILLION, NEWLY RENOVATED FAMILY BIRTH CENTER B I R T H I N G C L A S S E S AVA I L A B L E • C A L L ( 3 3 4 ) 2 9 3 - 8 4 9 7 F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N “NIGHTINGALE OF PARADISE” MOSAIC MURAL BY ENID PROBST MADE POSSIBLE BY GRANTS FROM THE ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS AND COMMUNITY DONORS.

PHOTO ABOVE FAR LEFT BY RANDY SEWELL

PHOTO ABOVE THIRD FROM LEFT BY MARIA NUNEZ

Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

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From The Middle School Years

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Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Any parent who has survived the middle school years will assure you that you can navigate them, too. Although the honeymoon period of elementary school is over and middle school comes with ample trials and tribulations for most kids, try not to expect the worst. Parents who welcome the challenges of middle school as opportunities for growth will be still be smiling by the time they attend the eighth grade promotion ceremony. Expect your child to face and overcome hurdles in middle school. Middle school is supposed to be about making mistakes and bouncing back from disappointments. Kids who navigate turbulence with spunk will mature in middle school. Kids who struggle with self-awareness and assertiveness are going to need extra support to develop skills they will need in high school.

If you want your kids to thrive in middle school, don’t leave them to their own devices. Parents who expect everything to be hunky dory all the time will likely be disappointed. Parents who think kids can figure everything out for themselves at this age with little adult supervision may want to wake up. This is middle school, the preparation for high school, which is the preparation for college, which is preparation for adulthood. Your child is going to need you each and every day. Middle-schoolers are embarking on a two or three-year journey and they will come out the other end of the process transformed. Whether or not they are changed for the better is largely up to you, parents. Here is a list of some of the challenges middle school kids face and how tuned-in parents can help.

Expressing Individuality. At the end of the summer, sit down with your child and make a list of words that describe who he is. Do this every year before heading back to school to remind your student that he has interests and he’s allowed to like whatever he chooses. This list will evolve over the years, and that’s great, too.

2600 Bell Road Montgomery, Alabama 334.277.6690

Expanding Learning Abilities. Middle school is an opportunity to try new ways of learning. Kids will get to do science labs for the first time, peer edit each other’s writing, work on projects with partners or in groups. Talk to your kids about how they are adjusting to these new learning modes so you can help smooth the way.

Dealing With Social Pressures. How much social pressure exists in middle school? Tons. So role up your sleeves, parents, and always be ready to troubleshoot. The best advice takes your child’s personality into account and eschews going along with all the crowds all the time. Middle school is a great time for kids to

460 McQueen Smith Road Prattville, Alabama 334.358.6411

Dr. John H. Payne IV • Dr. David Stanley • Dr. Davis Denney • Dr. Rob Owen 73

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lead to extra expenses and shaken confidence. So trust your instincts, parents. You will know when your child is ready to embrace the job of caring for a phone.

Finding Healthy Tribes. Kids will be kids

learn how to say, you do things your way and I’ll do things mine.

Keeping Up With School Assignments and Deadlines. Kids tend to procrastinate. Some have trouble understanding that projects and papers must be worked on incrementally to be adequately prepared. A little bit of planning support goes a long way until dreamy tweens can get the hang of due dates.

Navigating The Online World. Your child is carrying a phone, a camera, and a computer in her pocket. Giving kids too much responsibility too soon can

but no parent wants their child hanging out with a bunch of troublemakers. Your child’s peer group has a huge influence on his daily life. Teach your kids to choose friends wisely and to distance themselves from those who make consistently unhealthy choices.

Communicating With Teachers and Coaches. You know how to do this, but now it’s time to let your child step up and converse with authority figures. You can encourage her, confirm it’s happening, and even follow up with adults to make sure your child isn’t blowing you smoke. But let her do it or she won’t learn how.

Confronting Bullies. Not avoiding bullies. Not hiding from bullies. Not doing

whatever bullies want so they won’t pick on you. Confronting bullies means being able to stand up to someone being mean to your child whether his friends will back him up or not. Let your kids know you expect them to stand up for themselves and for others in need assistance and watch them do it.

Becoming A Positive Contributor. Everyone hates substitutes. No one likes the new math teacher. That kid is so weird. But guess what, kiddo? It doesn’t matter because you are expected to be kind and respectful to everyone at your school, including teachers and substitutes. Furthermore, you should actively contribute in your classes and make positive contributions to your school on an ongoing basis.

Bouncing Back From Failure and Disappointments. Perhaps the toughest days in middle school are the not-making-the-cut days or the performing poorly on the test days or the getting sent to the principal days. How you respond to some twist on this trope is important. Kids need to process their feelings before they can bounce back and do the right thing.

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Be calm and patient as you help them figure it all out.

Test-driving Romantic Relationships. Some kids will dive right into relationships in middle school. Others will stay on the sidelines so they can spectate and speculate. Others may not seem interested at all. This is the beginning of practicing intimacy, so be sure to have lots of conversations with your child about the differences between healthy and unhealthy romantic relationships.

Prioritizing Needs. Kids have needs and those needs matter even when life is hectic. Maybe your daughter needs a jog bra for gym class. Maybe she needs a new notebook for algebra. Maybe she needs you to sign a field trip form and write a check. Have a regular plan-the-week meeting on the weekend to discuss what your child is going to need from you and avoid last-minute crunches that create needless stress and bickering. Learning About The World. There is a whole wide world out there, and now your child is old enough to start learning about all of its complexities. What a great time to teach your child about respecting diversity, tolerating differences, and envisioning a more peaceful world. They can practice all of these principles right in middle school.

Remembering To Rest. Taking nice long baths with soft music and candles. Pulling the black-out curtains for a threehour afternoon nap. A six-episode, BBC Pride And Prejudice binge-watching sessions to recover from the sniffles. Growing kids need to unwind sometimes, but they may have trouble recognizing this. When this happens, give them a nudge in a decompressing direction. Shining Despite Speed Bumps. Guess what, parents? Your kid is going to stumble, fall, and maybe even face-plant in middle school. But he will still have plenty of shining moments, where he is ecstatic and in his element. If your child isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t having enough moments like these, call a family meeting, put your heads together, and look for new opportunities where he is more likely to succeed. mp Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz is actually a bit sad that the middle school adventures are over. But sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s looking forward to the challenges that high school will bring.

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Dance Generation Wins Top Studio Awards

Dance Generation of Montgomery received top awards at the 2016 Inspire dance competition. Among the Platinum Elite through High Gold awards, the dancers also received awards for technique, precision, showmanship and People’s Choice. They also received the highest score of the competition. For more info, visit www.dancegenerationstudio.com or like us on Facebook.

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Prattville Girl Scout Earns Highest Award

Open only to girls in high school, the Girl Scout Gold Award involves a project that challenges girls to change the world through a seven-step process that includes making a plan and educating others. Prattville High School senior Lucy Puranen chose something close to her heart and developed a mentoring program through her high school band to earn her Gold Award, the highest award earned in Girl Scouts. Along with being a Girl Scout for 13 years, the marching band has always been a big part of Puranen’s life. It was through the marching band that she realized many freshmen quit because they either didn’t know how to learn their level of music, or they didn’t have any friends. This inspired Puranen to create a mentoring program that allowed one-on-one time with a tutor for younger students and leadership opportunities for older students, hoping that both would encourage fellow band members to not give up. “On the first day, everyone was put in their sections where they were learning warm ups and stand tunes,” she said. “They got to know everyone in their section and became integrated into the group that they can call family for the next four years. Everyone was having fun, dancing, and just being themselves.” Puranen hopes that her Gold Award project will encourage others to gain leadership and teaching skills as well as having a better sense of family within groups like the band. She will major in nursing at the University of South Alabama and hopes to be a part of the band there. Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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Make it fun! Let your child choose from several age-appropriate volunteer activities, and maybe even bring a friend along with them. There’s no better time to instill in your child a lifelong love for volunteer service.

River Region ROCK is all about encouraging each other to Respect Others, Create Kindness. Although school is out and summer vacation is in, we want our children to be kind and show respect all year long. Whether at summer camp, Vacation Bible School or on a family vacation, there are plenty of opportunities to practice kindness this summer! We can start by asking our kids, “How can we practice kindness today?” Having intentional conversations about respect and kindness engages our children by asking them to help us think of ways we can be kind. Let’s try doing this a couple times a week, and before long, we might be surprised to see our children initiating this on their own… without any prompting from Mom or Dad!

3. Donate to school supply drives. Generosity goes hand-in-hand with helping others. Only one month into the summer, and someone is sure to hold a school supply drive somewhere. Give your child a dollar amount they can spend, and let them select the school supplies they’d like to help buy for a young student in need. Giving is a powerful thing! As the summer days grow shorter, talk with your children about ways they can practice kindness as the new school year begins – inviting the new kid in their class to sit with them at lunch, or asking someone who is standing alone at recess to join in their game of kickball. Together, we can build and flex our kindness muscles, making respect and kindness a daily habit.

Three easy ways to practice kindness this summer: 1. Practice good manners and kindness at the pool! The pool is a frequent stop for summer fun, and though it may take a few extra reminders at times, kids can still hold the door or the gate open for the person behind them, and share their floaties and pool noodles with other children.

2. What better way to show kindness than by helping others through volunteering?

Article contributed by Mendie Nord. In conjunction with the Montgomery Chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Montgomery Parents is devoting space for a series of articles on bullying to raise awareness.

Contact HandsOn River Region (www.HandsOnRiverRegion. org) to learn more about volunteering in our communities.

HOW CAN YOUR SCHOOL GET INVOLVED?

FIND OUT AT ROCKTASKFORCE.COM. RIVER REGION ROCK TASK FORCE. CREATING A SAFER, KINDER RIVER REGION.

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Elmore County Students Join ‘Thirty Point Club’

Tonya Speed Dancers to Attend National Championship in July

The TSDC competition team competed regionally this spring at Platinum and Applause where they won numerous awards! The studio had 3 dances who placed in the Top 10 out of 269 routines. These dancers will attend the Platinum Ultimate Grand Championship in July to compete nationally!

Pink ‘n’ Pearls Pajama Night

All mamas popped up in their pajamas ready for fun and games with their favorite Pink ‘n’ Pearl Girls recently. They participated in family activities while enjoying a scrumptious munchie bar. For information on how to become a member, please call Grace Harvey at (334) 561-5091.

Twenty-one students in the Elmore County Public School system recently scored a 30 or higher on the ACT. Administered by the American College Testing Program, the ACT is an assessment intended to measure college readiness, and is a part of the college application process. Students who score a 30 or above are in the 95th percentile nationwide, meaning that only 5% of students nationwide score above a 30. It is a remarkable achievement to score this high, and typically results in additional scholarship opportunities. These students are the first to be a part of the newly created “30 Point Club” in Elmore County Schools that celebrates this achievement. We look forward to adding more students to this group in the coming year. Students from Elmore County High School include Bridge Wynn and Dylan Hastings; from Holtville High, Elijah Mummert, Jack Broom and Madison Hill; from Stanhope Elmore, Cole O’Brian, Jackson Burkhead, Ty Naquin, Avery McCray, Samantha Prather, McKenna Tharpe, Devon Bringham, Zach Moore, Hannah Presciti, Phillip Warlick, Xavier Streety, Topanga Fucci, Avery Myers and Michael Hale; and from Wetumpka, Max Adam, Zena Banker, Amanda Duplain, Hanna Hollis and Hannah James.

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Docarmo Instructors Earn CPR Training

Thirteen Black Belt members of Docarmo’s Taekwondo Center received more than three hours of CPR/First Aid/Blood Born Pathogen Training from Charlotte Bridgman, certified American Red Cross instructor. “Although we rarely have any type of incident where we need to be concerned with First Aid, it was important for me to make sure that we have prepared staff workers on the floor,” said Chief Instructor Master Anne Docarmo. “Keeping our students safe is our first priority.” The Taekwondo school is located at 3179 Taylor Road; please call (334) 220-5835 for more info.

Wells Hutsler Awarded Eagle Rank

Troop 50 Boy Scout Wells Hutsler from Wetumpka recently received the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout after completing a project that benefited the Wetumpka Depot Players. Hutsler identified the need for more storage and organization at the Depot’s off-site storage facility that houses costumes and props from productions over the last 30 years. He put in more than 60 hours of work to build shelving and recruited volunteer support to help for another 180 hours. “We are thrilled with the results of Wells’s project,” said Depot Executive Director Kristy Meanor. “The shelving units that Wells built and the amount of organization he achieved during his project have been a real ‘game changer’ for us. It was impressive to see the Scouting community come out to support Wells. We can’t thank them enough for working to make our communities a stronger place to work and play.” Hutsler joined Troop 50 in 2011 after completing Cub Scouts with Pack 50. He earned the Arrow of Light, which is the highest award a Cub Scout can achieve. He has also participated in many Scout activities and service projects, held Troop leadership positions including librarian, historian, chaplain’s aide and webmaster, and completed Youth Leadership Training Camp in 2015. Hutsler is an upcoming sophomore at Wetumpka High School, where he is an honor student and member of the Wetumpka Steam Machine Robotics Program. He is a member of First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka, which charters Troop 50. He is the son of Clayton and Martha Hutsler. From left are Wetumpka Depot board members Mariella Easterling, Craig Sheldon, Carol Heier, Hazel Jones, Hutsler, Jeff Langham, Warren Jones and Carolyn Osborn. 79

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July2016

Calendar/Support Groups This Month

cheese, natural bath products and hand-made soaps, honey, sprout breads, fruit pastries, birdhouses and nursery plants. For more info, call (334) 279-6046 or visit www.facebook.com/eastchase.

Friday, July 1

Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Presents Wicked -- Through July 3 Concert Hall, various performance times. All ages must have a ticket. 8 limit ticket per household. Visit http:// www.bjcc.org/ or call (205) 458-8400 for more info. Friday Night Hoops -- Also July 15 Students in 5th through 12th grades get together with friends for pick-up games of basketball every 1st and 3rd Friday at the Bell Road YMCA from 9 p.m.-midnight. Students must be dropped off by 10 p.m. and cannot leave without being picked up by parent or guardian (unless students drove themselves). Must be playing basketball to be involved. Participants must have a photo ID (i.e. School ID). $3 for members; $7 for non-members. For more info, contact James Garvin at (334) 271-4343 or jgarvin@ymcamontgomery.org. Capri Theare Presents Children’s Matinees Also July 6-8; 13-15; 20-22; and 27-29 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. All seats $1. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org/ or call (334) 262-4858.

Michael’s Kids Club -- Also July 9, 16, 23 & 30 10 a.m.-noon. $2 per project. Supplies included. Ages 3 and up. Each session is 30 minutes. Parent or guardian must remain on premises. July 2 is craft stick flag; July 9 is Castles and Courts banner; July 16 is Secret Life of Pets; July 23 is Woodland Forest; and July 30 is Monster Bookmark Corners. For more info, visit www. michaels.com/. Home Depot Kids’ Workshop 9 a.m.-noon. Ages 5-12. Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety. Today’s project is to create a cool Ice Age: Collision Course bowling game. Once the project is built, your child can paint and decorate it with stickers. In addition to the newly

Special Needs Skate -- Also July 17 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. Looneys Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5. For more information contact Lyrastephens@yahoo.com. First Sundays at One 1-2 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Learn more about the traveling exhibitions as well as the Museum’s Permanent Collection in these FREE docentled tours the FIRST Sunday of each month. For more info, call (334) 240-4333 or visit mmfa.org/.

Monday, July 4

4th of July Picnic on the River 5-10 p.m. Join the City of Montgomery for a family picnic and 4th of July Celebration at the Riverfront

Find a listing of Public Library Storytimes and Events at MontgomeryParents.com!

Michael’s Camp Creativity -- Also July 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 & 29 10 a.m.-noon. $4 per project. Supplies included. Ages 3 and up. Parent or guardian must remain on premises. For more info, visit www.michaels.com/.

constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin.

Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum Spring Spectacular -- All month Wetumpka. Reproductions of famous statuary from Greek and Roman times, and many flowers you do not usually see in the Deep South. Perennials include delphinium and digitalis, with such familiar annuals as tulips, Japanese cherries and azaleas loaded with blossoms. Open Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. For more info, visit www. jasminehill.org.

Prattville Farmers’ Market -- Also July 9, 16, 23 & 30 7 a.m.-noon. Located off Doster Road just a few blocks off Main Street. Its close proximity to Pratt Park with the Splash Pad, children’s play area, tree-lined walk ways, pond, pool and picnic areas make it a wonderful place for a family outing. Enjoy the park and picnic with fresh produce. Lots of fun events will take place at the Market throughout the season. For more info or to register as a vendor, call (334) 595-0854.

Brunswick Zone Summer Bowling Deal Through September 5 Monday-Friday from open-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from open-4 p.m. Enjoy 3 games per day and shoe rental all summer long. Only $23.95 for kids 15 and under; adult pass: $28.95. Visit bowlsummergames.com for details.

Montgomery Advertiser Autograph Day at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game Start time 6:35 p.m. Fans will have the opportunity to collect players’ and coaches’ autographs prior to the game. Fans will also receive a 2016 team poster. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255.

Saturday, July 2

Prattville Pops Patriotic Concert The Prattville Pops and Community Chorus will kick off this free concert at 7 p.m. featuring a variety of patriotic songs held at the Amphitheater at Pratt Park near Stanley-Jensen Football Stadium. There will be hot dogs and soft drinks for $1 each or you can bring a picnic and enjoy it with your family and friends. No alcoholic beverages or glass containers are allowed in the park. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a great patriotic concert under the stars! For more info, call (334) 595-0854.

AUM Offers Free Mandarin Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Confucius Institute continues to offer free Mandarin classes to the community. To register, send the student’s name, age and contact information to ama@aum.edu. Alabama Nature Center Weekends -- Every Saturday Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10 a.m. to enjoy the first of the day’s activities. Take a look around the the Discovery Hall, enjoy the movie specials in the theater, and explore the trails. Vending machines will provide snacks/drinks. Gift shop will be open. Visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call 1-800-822-9453. Farmers Market at The Shoppes at Eastchase All Saturdays through October 22 7 a.m.-noon. The grand opening of this 12th annual event will feature all vendors and festivities for the entire family. Shoppers will continue to find unique, local items such as organic produce, meats, milk, goat

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

Sunday, July 3

Civil Rights Walking Tours -- Every Saturday and Sunday 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. start times. Tours start from The Village Gallery. Come explore Montgomery’s history walking from different historical sties and engage in profound moments from slavery, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. This tour highlights pioneers and unsung heroes who contributed to a new era. Cost: Adults - $10; 12 & under - $5; 4 & under FREE. Book your tour by calling (334) 595-9243.

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Park. Free admission. Enjoy food vendors, kids’ inflatables, a rib-eating competition with prizes, live music at the amphitheatre and fireworks! For more details, call (334) 625-2100 or visit www. funinmontgomery.com. Prattville Independence Day Parade Begins at 9 a.m. at the Autauga County Courthouse and winds its way through downtown. This year’s honorees will be the Autauga County Law Enforcement with special Grand Marshal Karl Wade. Registration is required to be in the parade, but there is no entry fee. For more info, call (334) 595-0854.

Lions Club BBQ, Arts & Crafts 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Pratt Park. Free admission. Music, a patriotic program, a children’s fun area and lots of arts and crafts for the entire family. Cardboard Boat Races Begin at 10 a.m., with the teams creating their competition boats out of cardboard, pool noodles and duct tape. Trophies awarded. Two people must race on the boats. New rules this year so you must pre-register. Fee: $5 per boat. Call (334) 595-0800 for more info.

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Calendar/Support Groups Fireworks Extravaganza Stanley-Jensen Stadium in Prattville. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and fireworks start at dark. Patriotic music, children’s inflatable play area, and a variety of food vendors. Best seats in the house for an amazing fireworks show. Wetumpka’s 4th of July Celebration 6-9 p.m. musical performance by “Wishbone” at Gold Star Park, with free children’s activities from 6-8 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. on the Coosa River.

Tuesday, July 5

Carmike Cinemas Summer Kid Series Also July 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, August 2 & 4 Both Prattville and Chantilly locations. Admission is only $4+ tax; includes 16 oz. drink and 46 oz. popcorn with every ticket. Seating is first come, first serve with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. For details, find us on Facebook. Old Alabama Town 2sdays -- Tuesdays through August 30 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Keep the summer boredom at bay with OAT 2sdays! Purchase one child’s admission to Old Alabama Town and another gets in FREE!* Bring your children to tour our living history museum and experience an authentic 1850s Alabama summer. While you are here, participate in our new scavenger hunt! The hunt will entertain all ages, and can be turned back in for a prize at the Museum Gift Shop! Visit www.landmarksfoundation.com/visit or call (334) 240-4500.

Wednesday, July 6

Capital City Master Gardener Association Lunch And Learn Series Open To The Public The first Wednesday of each month, noon to 1 p.m. Sessions are held at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, next to the Curb Market. Related handouts from the Alabama Coopera-

tive Extension Service are provided each session at no cost. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches to each event. Iced tea and water will be provided. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast -- Through July 24 Written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton. You will be enchanted by this spectacular feast for the senses as the lovely Belle, spellbound Prince, wicked Gaston and delightful Lumiere and Cogsworth front a production filled with spectacular costumes, lavish sets and dazzling production numbers including, “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston” and “Beauty and the Beast.” A magical experience for the whole family to enjoy. Visit www.asf.net or call 2715353.

Thursday, July 7

Alabama in the Movies at the State Archives Also July 14, 21 & 28 6 p.m. Free movies at the Archives on Thursday nights in July. Movies featured were made in or about Alabama! Refreshments will be available for purchase. July 7 film is Forrest Gump; July 14 is Big Fish; July 21 is Tom & Huck; and July 28 is Fried Green Tomatoes. For more info, visit www.archives.alabama.gov/.

Friday, July 8

Elmore County Homeschool Organization Meets Also July 22 Elmore County Homeschool Organization is a non-profit support group for homeschooling families. We provide a positive socialization environment for homeschooled children & support and encourage their parents in the homeschooling process. We typically meet the second and fourth Friday of every month year-round from 10 a.m. to noon at Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. Membership is free

and is open to all homeschoolers in the tri-county area. For details, visit http://www.onlineecho.com. Birmingham Children’s Theatre Presents Aladdin Jr. at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center -Through July 17 Various performance times. Recommended for children ages 3 and up. Visit http://www.bjcc.org/ or call (205) 458-8400 for more info. Also see www.bct123.org/ aladdin.

Saturday, July 9

Dads and Daughters Saturday (D.A.D.S) Calling ALL Fathers and Daughters for storytimes, fun and laughs, 11 a.m.-noon every 2nd Saturday at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library. There will be singing, dancing and arts & crafts. So come visit us and have an enjoyable time! For more info, visit www. facebook.com/events/1374454692792666/?source=1. Second Saturday Divorce Workshop for Women Montgomery Country Club, Azalea Room, 3800 Narrow Lane Road. 9 a.m.-noon. 3-hour workshop that is offered monthly, designed to help participants explore the legal, financial, and emotional issues of divorce and gain a greater understanding of the process. Cost to attend is $20 per person and preregistration required. For more info, please call or e-mail Sommer Morris at (334) 612-1086 or sommer. morris@morganstanley.com. You may also visit www. secondsaturday.com. Second Saturdays -- Through August Every second Saturday April through August, you are invited to Riverfront Park for a day full of family-friendly fun! The fun includes live entertainment, interactive

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Calendar/Support Groups activities for kids, various food & drink vendors and adult libations at the SandBAR at the Silos. $1 Admission, 12 and under free. All proceeds benefit local charities. For more info, call (334) 625-2100 or visit www.funinmontgomery.com/.

diet pot luck dinners on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Located at the EAT South Farm downtown. For more information, call 422-9331, e-mail info@eatsouth.org or visit www.facebook.com/ VegOutMontgomery.

The Alabama Department of Archives & History Presents “Genealogy 101: A Workshop for Beginners” 9 a.m.-noon. Are you interested in genealogy but feel unsure about how or where to begin? Join Archives’ expert genealogist, Nancy Dupree, for a half-day workshop featuring step-by-step instruction followed by hands-on research in the ADAH’s EBSCO Research Room. Perfect for beginners! Register now! Call (334-) 2424364 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov.

Wednesday, July 13

Sunday, July 10

Thursday, July 14

Discovery Sundays Join Landmarks Foundation for its dynamic new series one Sunday a month at 2 p.m., and the program will vary from presentations at Old Alabama Town to field trips around Montgomery. Free to the public. July 10 is “A Photographic Journey.” Meet at the Winter Loeb Building, 105 Tallapoosa. Visit http://www. landmarksfoundation.com/.

Monday, July 11

Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre Camp for Teens -- Through July 16 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For grades 7-12. These theatre camps will introduce students to all aspects of the theatre. In addition to acting, there will be focus on set and costume design, production, directing and more, ending with the students’ participation in a play July 16. Cost is $75 per child. For more info, call (334)595-0851. A Summer Camp Art Experience: Off to the Shore -- Through July 15 8:30-11:30 a.m. Armory Learning Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery. Our goal is to inspire and encourage creativity. Students will try art processes and materials including clay, fiber, mixed media, drawing, and painting. Sessions won’t repeat an activity—so feel free to experience either or both sessions. Preregister by calling (334) 241-2583. Fashion Camp at Shoppes at EastChase -Through July 15; also July 25-29 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For ages 6-14. Register online at www. theshoppesateastchase.com/. For more info, call Guest Services at 334-279-6046.

Central Alabama Master Gardener (CAMGA) Lunch & Learn Program Held at the Elmore County Extension (ACES) facility on Queen Ann Road in Wetumpka, these free events for the public are held on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning at noon and ending at 1 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch and learn. Beverages are provided by CAMGA. For more info, call 567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.

Tuesday, July 12

VEG OUT Montgomery 6-8 p.m. Join EAT South for its monthly plant-based

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

your closets and sheds and get rid of your unwanted, but good items. Guns, weapons, tobacco & alcohol CANNOT be sold. One booth per household. One booth per person. Limited space available. For info, call (334) 595-0800. The set-up for the July 16th sale is July 15 from 3-7 p.m.

Star Wars Night at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Start time 6:35 p.m. Join the Biscuits as they take on the Galactic Empire featuring popular Star Wars characters. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball. com or call (334) 323-2255.

Faulkner Dinner Theatre Presents Oklahoma! Also July 15-16, 21-23 and 28-30 Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner served 6:15-6:45 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Faulkner University Dinner Theatre, 5346 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery. Visit https://www.faulkner.edu/undergrad/student-life/studentactivities/dinner-theater/dinner-theatre-schedule/. Wetumpka Depot Theatre Presents Calendar Girls -- Also July 15, 17, 21-24, and 28-30 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2 p.m. July 17 and 24. Written by Tim Firth and directed by Stephen Dubberley. Based on the true story of eleven women who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls has become the fastestselling play in British theatre history. For those concerned about nudity, there isn’t any. As Firth describes, “ As in the best tradition of Vaudevillian fan dances, the art of the play’s nudity lies in what is withheld!” Tickets may be purchased at wetumpkadepot.com or by calling (334) 868-1440.

Friday, July 15

2nd-, 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-Grade Boys’ Lock-In at Grandview Family YMCA -- Through July 16 Lock-in activities include games, fun and food. Bring a flashlight, pillow, and sleeping bag. Boys are asked to bring a 2-liter drink to share. Lock-ins begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. For more info, contact Bill Myers at (334) 290-9622 or bmyers@ ymcamontgomery.org. Member fee $25 per child; nonmember $35. Family Faith Night at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Start time 7:05 p.m. Join us for baseball presented in a wholesome, religious atmosphere featuring a pre-game concert by a nationally-recognized music group. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255.

Saturday, July 16

Movies Monday at Riverfront Park -Also July 18 & 25 Movie begins at dusk, which could be anywhere between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Admission is free! Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and coolers to enjoy a night on the river underneath the stars! No alcohol allowed. Vendors also available. Call (334) 625-2100 or visit www.funinmontgomery.com for more info. July 11 movie is Inside Out; July 18 movie is The Lego Movie; and July 25 is Big Hero 6.

July2016

Wetumpka’s River and Blues Music and Arts Festival 3-10 p.m. Downtown Wetumpka. Free family fun event featuring several local musicians, artists, kids’ zone with inflatables. For more info, call (334) 567-5147 or visit www.riverandblues.net/. Animal Enrichment Day at the Montgomery Zoo 10 a.m.-2 p.m. From zoo animals to our pets at home and even including us, we all need enrichment: a chance to smell a new scent, taste a new flavor, play a new game or figure out a puzzle. Enrichment is an effort to tap into and stimulate our basic five senses: touch, sight, smell, taste and hear. The result is to stimulate behaviors resembling those for that species in a wild. Call (334) 240-4900 or visit montgomeryzoo.com. Prattville Gigantic Flea Market 6 a.m.-noon. Doster Community Center. Clean up

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Capital of Dreams Triathlon There will be two races, an Intermediate (1.5K Swim | 40K Bike | 10K Run) and a Sprint (400m Swim | 20K Bike | 5K Run) option offered for adults starting at 7:30 a.m. Stay around for great food and drink, expo, and the awards ceremony with lots of cool prize drawings. Visit www.team-magic.com to register.

Sunday, July 17

Montgomery Biscuits Bark in the Park/Kids Day Also July 31 Start time 5:35 p.m. Take your furry friend to the ballgame! All dogs get in free! Also, kids will have the chance to play catch on the field prior to the game and run the bases after the game! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255.

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Monday, July 18

Alabama Dance Theatre’s Two-Week Seminar Through August 1 Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue. Guest teachers for the seminar are Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Ballet Mistress Marianna Tcherkassky, former American Ballet Theatre Soloist Shawn Black and ADT alumni Wendy White Sasser, formerly with Alvin Ailey and Complexions. These master teachers will teach and coach dancers in their performances of “Coppellia, Act III”. The up and coming talent of the company will be showcased in “Etudes” under the direction of Artistic Director Kitty Seale. Call (334) 241-2590 or visit www. alabamadancetheatre.com for more info.

Tuesday, July 19

Joe Thomas, Jr. 3rd Tuesday Guitar Pull 7-9 p.m. Three or four regional songwriters perform original music on the Cloverdale Playhouse’s intimate stage. Tickets are $10 at the door. Call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

Wednesday, July 20

Wonderfully Made Seminars for Women Noon-1 p.m. MCI Auditorium on the Campus of Baptist South. This month’s speaker will be neurologist Dr. Ashish Vyas, who will speak about “Dementia/Memory Loss and Helping Family Members with the Diagnosis.” Lunch is provided. Space is limited. Please register if you plan to attend by calling (334) 273-4444.

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‘Alabama Talks:’ A Speaker Series 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The Capital City Club hosts this series through July. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. Today’s speaker is Dr. Allen Gribben, Auburn University Montgomery Professor of English, and Mark Twain expert, who will speak on “Steamboats, Pilots, and River Travel Dangers.” For more info and to make reservations, contact Heather Logan at (334) 8348920 or heather.logan@clubcorp.com.

Thursday, July 21

Food For Thought The Alabama Dept. of Archives & History, 624 Washington Ave. Noon-1 p.m. Bring lunch and and join us every third Thursday for these FREE lectures sponsored by Friends of the Alabama Archives. Drinks are complimentary. Today’s topic is “The Negro Southern League: A Baseball History, 1920-1951,” presented by William J. Plott. Call 353-4726 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents James Gregory 7:30 p.m. James creates an evening of non-stop laughter with a wry sense of the absurd, a Southern accent and universal story-telling. The ridiculous, the common and sometimes even the simplest events all become hilarious in the hands of this master storyteller and world-class comedian. Tickets begin at $23. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100 for tickets. Capitol City Shape Note Singers at Old Alabama Town From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., come enjoy the centuries-old art of shape note singing in the Loeb Reception Center at Old Alabama Town. This all-day event brings folks from around the state to sing together using the traditional art of shape notes. In 1801, shapes were added to music notations to help singers find pitch, and the tradition has been kept alive in the South for many years now. Feel free to stop by and listen anytime throughout the day! Free admission. For more info, call (334) 240-4500 or visit www.oldalabamatown.com.

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Millbrook Community Players Present Anne of Green Gables -- Also July 22-23, 28-30 @ 7:30 p.m. & July 24 & 31 @ 2 p.m. From Samuel French - A refreshing, contemporary telling of the classic story. Stern Marilla and her warmhearted brother Matthew hoped to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake, and their lives will never be the same. We follow Anne through her rebellious years, her transformation into a young woman, and her romantic pairing with Gilbert. For tickets or more info, visit http://www.millbrooktheater.com/ or call (334) 782-7317. Capri Theatre Presents The Adventures of Robin Hood 7:30 p.m. This is the classic featuring Errol Flynn. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org/.

Tuesday, July 26

Dollar Dog Tuesday at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game Start time 7:05 p.m. Enjoy dinner and a game with $1 hot dogs! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255.

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Calendar/Support Groups Hiring Our Heroes: A Free Hiring Fair for Veterans, Guard and Reserve Members, Transitioning Service Members and Military Spouses 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Teague Arena, Garrett Coliseum Complex, 1555 Federal Drive, Montgomery. This workshop for job seekers focuses on resume writing, tips for successfully navigating hiring fairs, military skill translation, and interviewing. For registration questions, e-mail elombardi@uschamber.com or call (202) 657-2455.

sponsored by Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital, Patterson Dental and HWCF. Includes giveaways, kids’ play zone, Zumba, health screenings, food and more.

Military Wednesday and Sweets Fest at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Start time 7:05 p.m. Use your sweet tooth and dive into our delectable delights. For more info, visit www. biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255.

“Artworks,” a hands-on children’s exhibit. FREE. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays. For more info, call 240-4333.

Thursday, July 28

ARTtalk at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 6-8 p.m. Three more sessions remain of this unique program designed for artists and art lovers alike. Join us with or without bringing a work of art to share for friendly critique, and enjoy the discussions, light refreshments, and camaraderie! Cost: $10 for Museum or Art Guild members; $15 for non-members. Register now for this unique program, and get an up-close look at artists, their work, and the creative process! E-mail Brandy at edsecy@mmfa.org or call (334) 240-4365 for reservations or visit www.mmfa.org. Red Door Theatre Presents Last Train to Nibroc Through August 7 Downtown Union Springs. Written by Arlene Hutton and directed by Fiona Macleod, Last Train to Nibroc is a quintessential love story in its purest form. Set in the 1940s, it tells the story of Raleigh and May – two strangers who meet on a cross-country train during WWII. This funny and touching tale of an unlikely romance follows the two as they search for their own happiness. This play is the prequel to See Rock City presented by the Red Door in August 2013. Call (334) 738-8687 or e-mail conecuhpeople@knology.net.

Friday, July 29

2nd-, 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-Grade Girls’ Lock-In at Grandview Family YMCA -- Through July 30 Lock-in activities include games, fun and food. Bring a flashlight, pillow, and sleeping bag. Girls are asked to bring some cookies or chips to share. Lock-ins begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. For more info, contact Bill Myers at (334) 290-9622 or bmyers@ymcamontgomery.org. Member fee $25 per child; non-member $35. Cloverdale Playhouse Presents The Adventures of Tom Sawyer -- Through July 31 Performances at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Adaptation of Mark Twain’s classic directed by Jason Morgan. For tickets or more info, call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

Saturday, July 30

Community Health Fair/School Supply Giveaway 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Health Services, Inc. River Region Health, 1845 Cherry Street, Montgomery. Free event

Montgomery Parents I July 2016

Guitar Club must be 10 years old, but 7-year-olds are welcome for the other two. Clubs are limited to the first 10 students, for one month. The Pottery Studio is available to ARRAC members trained on the wheel. First Saturday of every month is a free Sit & Sew, from 9 a.m.-noon. (Bluegrass Jam is going on at the same time in another room.) 300 W. Tallassee St. (former Wetumpka Jr. High building). Visit www.arrac.org or see us on Facebook: Alabama River Region Arts Center, or call 578-9485 for more information. Artists In Action: 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of EVERY month at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts from noon-2 p.m.. Local and regional artists at work. For more info, call 240-4333.

Wednesday, July 27

Newcomers Club of Montgomery Monthly Luncheon The Newcomers Club of Montgomery invites all women of the River Region to attend our monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Country Club. Featured speaker will be Rebecca Williams from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute located at Auburn University. She will tell us about the many classes available. Lunch cost is $18 and reservations must be made by noon Monday, July 25, to Jan Burdette at (334) 593-9266 or jan8410@ bellsouth.net. Visit www.newcomersmontgomery.com.

July2016

Sunday, July 31

Alabama Dance Theatre Presents 13th Annual ‘Stars on the Riverfront’ -- Also August 1 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Bring the entire family and a picnic and join the Alabama Dance Theatre as the sun sets on one of Montgomery’s most beautiful venues, the Riverwalk Amphitheater. These FREE performances are the culmination of ADT’s two-week Summer Dance Seminar and will feature more than 50 dancers. Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnicking. Wind Creek Hospitality “Good to Go” food truck and Kona Ice will be the vendors on site at both performances. Call (334-) 241-2590 or visit www. alabamadancetheatre.com for more info.

Thursday, August 4

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Presents Big Eyes: a Tim Burton Film 5:30-8 p.m. While the summer exhibition “Women’s Work” celebrates female artists, Big Eyes tells the story of a woman whose husband achieved fame by taking credit for her work. Amy Adams plays Margaret Keane, and Curator of Education Alice Novak will introduce the history and the film with a brief discussion following. Beverages will be available for purchase. Popcorn will be served. Visit www.mmfa.org or call (334) 240-4333 for details.

Saturday, August 6

Vicarious Vacations -- Also August 13, 20 & 27 11 a.m. Spend every Saturday of August traveling the world in the cool confines of the auditorium in Old Alabama Town. On August 6, John Schneider will present Uganda; on August 13, Steve Brickley & Jim Hodgson will present Amsterdam to Spain; on August 20, Frances Durr will present France & the Caverns of Chaurat; and on August 27, McDowell Crook will present Trekking through Wyoming’s Wilds. Free to the public. For more info, visit www.landmarksfoundation.com.

Ongoing

Ala. Dept. of Archives & History Exhibit galleries include a children’s gallery and a reference room for genealogical and historical research. In Grandma’s Attic, kids can try on clothes, try an old typewriter, sit at an old school desk or experience making a quilt square. Also visit our History at Home web page to print off fun activities to do at home. In addition, there are FREE, guided tours of the Museum of Alabama EVERY Saturday at 1 p.m. Follow us on Facebook, call 242-4435 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov. Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka has weekly after-school Arts Clubs meeting on Thursdays from 4-5 & 5-6 p.m. There are three clubs: Guitar (acoustic), Clay (polymer, ie “sculpy”) and Painting/ Drawing. Each club is $20 a month. Students for

Brain Pump is a group exercise class, targeting children 4-12 years old. The class is the collaboration of a physical therapist and a kinesiology professor combining traditional therapy and exercise concepts with the latest cutting edge research on movement and the brain. This is all done in a fun, energetic setting, that seems much more like playing than exercising. Brain Pump is taught at Metro Fitness on Saturdays from 1111:45 a.m. Contact Tiffany Higginbotham at Body Logic PT & Wellness (334-380-5920) for more info. Celtic Dance Classes Fridays at Montgomery Ballet from 4-5 p.m. We welcome boys and girls ages 6 to adult. Call Amanda at (706) 457-9254 or e-mail Celtic.traditions@gmail.com for more info. Central Alabama Contra Dancers Everyone, school-age through adult, is invited for a little exercise and a lot of fun. Singles, couples and entire families are welcome. All levels of experience - including no experience. Dancing is on 1st and 3rd Fridays from 7-9 p.m. at the MASDA building, 2200 Popular St. For more info, visit www.contralines.com or email info@contralines.com. The Central Alabama Tennis Association (CATA) is a volunteer-based tennis organization formed to provide programs which promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout central Alabama. For event info, call Ernie Rains, CATA Community Coordinator, at 3241406 or e-mail www.centralalabama.usta.com. Civil Rights Memorial A monument to those who died and/or risked death in the struggle for civil rights. 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery. For information, call 264-0286. Cloverdale Playhouse “Third Tuesdays” Montgomery’s singers and songwriters perform in our intimate theater space each month on the third Tuesday. Join us for a musical evening in Old Cloverdale. For details, call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse. org. Also contact us about volunteer opportunities, auditions, and the Playhouse School! First White House of the Confederacy Open on Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The First White House of the Confederacy played a significant role during the Civil War and served as Jefferson Davis’ family residence from February-May 1861. Located at 644 Washington Avenue in downtown Montgomery, neighboring the Ala. Dept. of Archives and History. For more info or to tour the museum, call 242-1861 or visit www.firstwhitehouse.org. Friday Night Hoops Students in 5th through 12th grades get together with friends for pick-up games of basketball every 1st and 3rd Friday at the Bell Road YMCA from 9 p.m.-

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midnight. Students must be dropped off by 10 p.m. and cannot leave without being picked up by parent or guardian (unless students drove themselves). Must play basketball to be involved. Participants must have a photo ID (i.e. School ID). $3 for members; $7 for nonmembers. For more info, contact James Garvin at (334) 271-4343 or jgarvin@ymcamontgomery.org.

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Garden Tours Local gardens include Southern Homes and Gardens, Blount Cultural Park’s Shakespearean Garden at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Grace Episcopal Church, Prattville’s historic gardens in Old Pratt Village and the Wilderness Park, and Wetumpka’s arboretum at Ft. Toulouse. For more info in Montgomery, call 1-800-240-9452 or visit www.VisitingMontgomery.com. In Prattville, call 361-0961 or visit www.prattville.com/visitor/history. In Wetumpka, call 567-3002 or visit www.wetumpka.al.us/features. Other numbers are: Blount Cultural Park (274-0062 or www.blountculturalpark.org); Grace Episcopal Church (215-1422); Old Alabama Town (240-4005 or www.oldalabamatown.com); and Alabama Garden Trail (1-800-ALABAMA or www.touralabama.org). W. A. Gayle Planetarium Public Shows offered Mon.-Thurs. at 4 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. and first & third Saturdays at 2 p.m. Admission $6.50/ person, children under 5 free, seniors $5.50/person. 1010 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Call 625-4799 or visit http://www. troy.edu/planetarium/.

Harriott II Riverboat Cruises Seasonal. Typical hours are 6:30-9 p.m. Live entertainment, cash bar and concessions available. For more info and available dates, visit www.funinmontgomery.com, call (334) 625-2100 or visit the Riverwalk Box Office at 200 Coosa Street. Montgomery’s Freedom Rides Museum 468 South Perry Street. Learn how 21 young people

helped change our nation’s history using nonviolent protest. Black and white, male and female, none of them were older than 21. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, noon -4 p.m. For more info, visit www.freedomridesmuseum.org or call (334) 242-3184. MOOseum, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Children’s educational center featuring past, present and future in agriculture and the cattle industry. Free. Group tours should be pre-scheduled. Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Last scheduled tour of the day starts at 3:30 p.m. 201 Bainbridge St., Montgomery. For info, call 265-1867 or visit www.bamabeef.org. Old Alabama Town 19th and early 20th century outdoor history museum. Tours Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $4 for students ages 6-18. Under 6 free. 301 Columbus St., Montgomery. For information, call 240-4500 or vist www.landmarksfoundation.com/. Prattville-Millbrook Newcomers Club A non-affiliated social club geared to new people moving into the area AND to those looking to form new friendships or just learn more about the area and help new residents do the same. For information on meetings and locations, contact Nancy Schrull at (334) 356-9897 or nschrull@knology.net. Prattville Movie Club (for Teens) Meeting twice a month on Fridays, current Prattville Movie Club members range from 14-18 years old and meet at the Carmike Promenade 12 on Cobbs Ford Road. There are no GPA requirements and no class requirements. We are friends who enjoy moviegoing and want to meet others who also enjoy watching movies. For more info, call (334) 224-7811 or e-mail brandonperdue12@gmail.com.

July2016 Rosa Parks Museum 252 Montgomery Street. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays and holidays, closed. Admission 12 years and under-$5.50/Over 12-$7.50. Alabama college students with a valid student ID: $6.50; discount price for both Museum & Children’s Wing: adults: $14, children $10. For more info, call 241-8615 or visit www.troy.edu/rosaparks/. Tales for Tots Join us for this FREE introduction to art in storybooks and in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts galleries for young children and their families. Each time a different work of art and special story will be presented. Next classes are July 6 from 10:30-11 a.m., and 1111:30 a.m. Call 240-4365 or visit www.mmfa.org for more info. YMCA 7 to 11 Club Calling all children ages 7 to 11 for this fun, free event. While Mom and Dad are working out, join us for games, arts & crafts, service projects and more. Earn special beads for participation and try to break records for superior achievements. Monthly special events will be hosted as well. Check with your YMCA center or visit ymcamontgomery.org for more details.

Classes

Breastfeeding Class Designed to prepare the expectant mother for breastfeeding her newborn. Also includes troubleshooting common problems to establish a successful breastfeeding experience. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $15. Class schedule is subject to change, so please call 293-8497 to register or for more info.

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Calendar/Support Groups Caring For Your Newborn This interactive class covers routine hospital newborn procedures along with bathing, diapering, swaddling and soothing, normal infant behavior, appearance and sleep patterns. Partners are encouraged to attend. $20 fee per couple. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. A 10

percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Childbirth Basics Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year at Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 by your 4th month of pregnancy to register. Childbirth Preparation Class Comprehensive four-week evening series covers all aspects of the labor and delivery experience, admission process, medication and anesthesia options including epidurals, Caesarean sections, coping and comfort measures including breathing and relaxation techniques. Postpartum care and newborn characteristics are included. A maternity area tour of Baptist Medical Center East is also included as a part of this class. All of our classes are taught by registered nurses certified in childbirth education. This class is $60 per couple. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. iA 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required. Childbirth Preparation Boot Camp Fast-paced Saturday class including the same information offered in our weekly series in a compressed format. Maternity area tour of Baptist Medical Center East is also included as a part of this class. Fee is $60 per couple and includes 2 box lunches. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@ baptistfirst.org. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required. Chinese Language Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Office of Far Eastern Initiatives offers Saturday classes for children and adults. The one-hour weekly courses are provided free-of-charge as a service to the community. For more info or to register, contact April Ma at 244-3018 or ama@aum.edu. CPR & First Aid The American Red Cross offers classes in adult and infant/child CPR as well as first aid and babysitting classes monthly. Call 260-3980. Diabetes Education --Prattville Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available

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Wednesdays by appointment at Prattville Medical Park. Call 213-6360 for more information. Diabetes Education --Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available weekdays by appointment. Call 213-6360 for more info. Family Nutrition Classes Fun, hands-on 3 or 6-week in-person or online course developed by well-known pediatrician Dr William Sears. Classes focused towards parents of children age 3-12. The goal is to learn simple ways to improve the health of your child through lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutrition. Fee includes materials, activities and a snack. A 2-hour preview class is available. For more info, contact alissabethtaylor@gmail.com or visit www.Facebook.com/ LeaninCentralAL. Foster Parent Training Classes Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries sponsors foster care training classes in the Tri-County Area. For more information on foster care or to register for the classes, please contact Bobbi Olson, Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, at 334430-7569 or e-mail bolson@abchome.org. Infant Safety/CPR Class Includes care of the choking infant, infant rescue and breathing with hands-on practice using ACTAR CPR dolls for class participants. Class will also help parents with creating a safe environment for their child. Classes are taught by certified CPR Instructors, but this is not a certification class. $10 fee per person. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst. org. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Maternity Area Tour Only Baptist Medical Center East maternity area tour for expectant mothers and families not attending Childbirth Preparation Class or Boot Camp. This tour is complimentary and is offered on select Saturdays of each month. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Classes Includes water aerobics, step-floor aerobics and strength training. SportsFirst. Call 277-7130. Pregnancy Nutrition Classes Interactive 3-week series of classes developed by wellknown pediatrician Dr. William Sears. Classes focus on lifestyle choices, attitude, and exercise at any stage of pregnancy; optimal nutrition before, during and after pregnancy; transition from pregnancy to motherhood. Courses can be taken separately or as a series. Jump in any time! Materials and snack provided with fee. For more info, contact alissabethtaylor@gmail.com or visit www.Facebook.com/LeaninCentralAL. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Includes various factors influencing lactation, advantages of breastfeeding, basic anatomy and physiology of milk production, specific techniques to promote a successful breastfeeding experience and breastfeeding equipment and supplies. Partners are encouraged to participate in this class. $20 per couple. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst. org. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military.

Sibling Preparation Class One-hour class is designed for expectant “big brothers and sisters” ages 3 to 8. They will learn about the arrival of their new baby through an introduction to the hospital experience and the early days at home. Parents should plan to attend with their child. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 2734445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org. Slow Flow Yoga Classes are held at Old Alabama Town on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30-12:15, and 12:30-1:15. Beginners welcome! No registration needed; just come to Molton South Building. Enter through the Rose House, located on Columbus St. between N. Hull and Decatur. Parking is available along Decatur and N. Hull. Drop in fee: $12; 5-class pass: $50 (exp. 60 days). Monthly unlimited: $65. Mat rental: $1. For more info, call (334) 240-4500 or (334) 207-0909 or e-mail juliet. yoga@icloud.com.

Services

American Cancer Society Seeks Volunteers for Road to Recovery This program is designed to ensure that cancer patients have transportation to and from medical facilities for treatment. Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal automobile insurance, owns a car or has access to one, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is encouraged to volunteer. For more info, or to volunteer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Baptist Hospice Volunteers There are many ways to help, such as special projects and events or providing administrative support for the staff, that are essential. Volunteers often have special talents and innovative ideas that add to our program. Please call Gloria @395-5018 to join our dynamic team. Baptist Hospital Volunteers Volunteers are needed at Baptist Medical Center East, Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville Baptist Hospital. Duties vary by facility but include delivering mail and flowers, transporting patients, staffing waiting rooms and information desks, and furnishing coffee for visitors. Volunteers work one four-hour shift per week. For more info, call 286-2977. Baptist Sleep Disorders Centers Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville. Both centers have the ability to diagnose up to 84 different sleep disorders. There are four board-certified physicians and a clinical psychologist on staff between the two centers. For more info, call (334) 286-3252 for Baptist Medical Center South and (334) 361-4335 for Prattville Baptist Hospital. Jackson Hospital Animal Therapy Program Jackson Hospital’s Animal Therapy Program is a vital part of its patient care. Animals in the program are limited to dogs, and no other animals are allowed to participate. Currently, there are 10 dogs in the program. Their handlers have undergone extensive training and orientation, and visit the hospital weekly. For more information, please call 293-8894. Jackson Hospital Volunteer Services Jackson Hospital information desk volunteers are needed for the evening shift, 5-8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be friendly and eager to offer information to those visiting the hospital. With this position, a free meal will be given as well as a parking spot next to the lobby. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are asked to work 4 hours a week. Call 293-8967 or visit www.jackson.org/patients_ volunteers.html. Jackson Sleep Disorders Center Jackson Hospital houses a sleep disorders center on

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Calendar/Support Groups the third floor of the Goode Medical Building to monitor those who are suffering from sleep disorders. For more information, contact your physician or the Sleep Center at 293-8168. River Region Association of Doulas Doulas Traci Weafer, Rebekah Hawkins and Christina Clark provide prenatal counseling, labor and postpartum doula services, breastfeeding education, events and support groups. Contact rradoulas@gmail.com or visit rradoulas.weebly.com or https://www.facebook. com/RRADoulas/.

Support Groups Adoption Support

Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more info, call Monica Russell at 409-9477 or the church office at 272-8622. Autauga/Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For more info, call 409-9477 or e-mail htaylor@childrensaid.org. Birth Parent and Adult Adoptee Support Group Children’s Aid Society hosts a free support group for adult adoptees and birth parents. This group provides emotional support for people at all stages of the lifelong adoption process. Meetings held at Children’s Aid Society, 2141 14th Avenue South in Birmingham. For class dates and times, call Audrey Derevenko at (205) 943-5343 or e-mail adereven@childrensaid.org. Panda Pals is a support group for families who have adopted or in the process of adopting children from

China. We have playdates, family nights and gettogethers to talk about raising our children from China. If you would like to join our group, just e-mail PandaPals2005@yahoogroups.com or call Tracie Singleton at 395-8215.

Cancer Support

American Cancer Society, including Montgomery, Elmore & Autauga Counties: **To access or sign up for these programs, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Look Good…Feel Better is an American Cancer Society program in which trained volunteer cosmetologists help female cancer patients deal with the side effects of treatment. Patients are taught beauty techniques to enhance their appearance and self image during or after treatments, including ways to disguise hair loss and skin changes. Call 1-800ACS-2345 for more info. OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES OFFERED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Reach to Recovery matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors on a one on one basis. Free wigs and other supplies for cancer patients Free rides to treatment through our Road To Recovery program (where volunteer drivers use their cars and time to take in need cancer patients to treatment) Free lodging through the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge

in Birmingham (if patients are sent to Birmingham for treatment) On-line cancer information classes and support group through cancer.org. Information anytime and trained specialists at 1-800ACS-2345. Cancer Patient and Caregiver Support Group 1-2 p.m., Tuesdays, Montgomery Cancer Center, 4145 Carmichael Road. The group is facilitated by professionally trained health care providers and other members of the support care team. It’s free and open to all cancer patients and their caregivers. Call (334) 273-7000. General Cancer Support Group held at Christ Church, 8800 Vaughn Road, Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. This is an open group. For more information, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie Diemayer at 467-4578. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 2nd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Provides education, awareness and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family or friends. For more info, call 272-8622 or e-mail womenofhope@ charter.net.

Divorce Support

DivorceCare meets Tuesdays beginning May 3 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Join us for support and guidance as you work through the issues, pain and pressures surrounding divorce. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@ frazerumc.org for more info. DivorceCare meets at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. It fosters a weekly supportive and caring environment to heal the hurt

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Calendar/Support Groups of separation and divorce. The DivorceCare experience involves a dynamic video presentation, group share time, and personal workbook exercises. Facilitators for DivorceCare are Todd Smith, Wendy Timbie and Becki Harrison. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. DivorceCare and DivorceCare 4 Kids First Baptist Church Montgomery, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $15 (scholarships available). Contact Kathy Cooper at kcooper@montgomeryfbc.org or 241-5125. “Never Go Back” meets at Frazer UMC beginning May 3. Are you stuck in a pattern of going back to the same relationships or situations hoping for or expecting different results? In this new study, you will recognize and truly change those life patterns that hold you back and keep you from your goals, so you will never go back. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org for more info. Second Saturday Divorce Workshop for Women Montgomery Country Club, Azalea Room, 3800 Narrow Lane Road. 9 a.m.-noon. This is a 3-hour workshop that is offered monthly, designed to help participants explore the legal, financial, and emotional issues of divorce and gain a greater understanding of the process. The cost to attend is $20 per person and pre-registration is required. For more info, please call or e-mail Sommer Morris at (334) 6121086 or sommer.morris@morganstanley.com. You may also visit www.secondsaturday.com.

Grief Support

Bereaved Spouses Support Group A new ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church, USA (Unavoidably Single Again) Ministries is designed to offer ongoing support, social events and fellowship to those who have lost their spouses to death. The group is open to ALL widowed individuals, regardless of age, religious beliefs, or length of marriage or widowhood. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays at the church’s building, 301 Dalraida Road. Please e-mail farauthor@aol.com for more info. “Big Leap!” Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is designed to meet the needs of children ages 7-11 who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. Through music, art, and play we meet your child or grandchild on their level. We encourage your children to hold tight to their memories as they make a “big leap” into their new future. Space is limited to 6 participants so call 279-6677. Start date will be determined once reservations are confirmed. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. “Comfort and Conversation,” Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is intended to address those affected by a recent loss (0-12 months after death). Through meeting with others who are walking a similar journey, you will be encouraged to work through the complications of your loss, understand your pain, and adjust to your new reality. Space is limited, so please call 279-6677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. Compassionate Friends, Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, first Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. For more information about the group, call (334) 284-2721. “Connect,” Fridays at 11 a.m., biweekly, Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is for those who have already walked through the initial grieving process but still desire to connect with others who share similar experiences. This group will allow you to meet new people, stay active in the community, and look ahead to a bright future. We will share lunch, visit museums, volunteer, attend movies, and participate in area events. This group is ongoing and does not have a participation limit. For more info, call 279-6677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. Grief Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Rm. 3105. Call 2728622 for more info.

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GriefShare meets weekly at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. This program is non-denominational and features biblical concepts for healing your grief. Three key parts make up your GriefShare experience: video seminar; support group time; and workbook study. GriefShare will be led by Howard and Carol Payne and Jim Williams. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. GriefShare, Hospice of Montgomery’s office located at 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery. Meets Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. through March. This FREE group is for individuals, families and caregivers in the River Region. Registration required to attend. For more information or to register, please contact Candace Fales at 279-6677 or cfales@hospiceofmontgomery.org. Grieving With Hope, St. Mark UMC, meeting weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. The group offers a place to share, care and heal from the losses of life. Facilitated by Dr. Lennie Howard and Marie Parma. Contact the church at 272-0009. Honoring Angels Like Owen, Inc. (HALO) offers family-oriented, Christian-based grief support groups that meet monthly. These groups are for families who have lost a child from 20 weeks gestation up to the age of 2 years old. Our parents’ group is for mothers and fathers. Our siblings’ group is for children ages 6-15. Both groups meet at the same time and place. HALO also offers free professional photography for families facing the loss of a child up to the age of 2 years old and needs-based financial assistance for burial. Visit www.honoringangelslikeowen.org or call (334) 328-1202. Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. We normally meet the last Thursday night of each month at Grace Baptist Church in Wetumpka, 304 Old Montgomery Highway. For more info, contact Alice Scarborough at (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis at (334) 567-8754 or e-mail us at mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook--Mourning to Morning Group.

Homeschool Support

ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization), Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. 2nd and 4th Fridays year-round from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area. Membership is free. For more info, please visit http://www.onlineecho.com

Illness Support

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets 1st Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in room 3103 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more info, call 272-8622. The Renaissance Spirit Group (an adult day group for Alzheimer’s patients in their early to middle stages) meets each Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 3101 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Registration is required. For more info, contact Nancy McLain at (334) 233-2139. Cardiolife, a FREE educational series for congestive heart failure patients and their caregivers, meets 4th Thursdays of each month, 10-11 a.m. Diabetes Center classroom, Jackson Hospital. For more info, call 279-6677. Topics include: Lifestyle Changes, A Heart Healthy Diet, Proper Fluid Intake, Importance of Daily Weights and Exercise Tolerance. Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step-Christian process to help you cope with hurts, hang-ups, and habits on a weekly basis. Meets at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. You will experience hope and strength for each day. “Celebrate Recovery” is led by Jeff McFarland. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. Christians Against Substance Abuse (CASA) is a 12step spiritual recovery program for overcoming addictions. Using the steps and the Bible, we help build self-esteem, responsible behavior, learning to make amends for destructive behavior, then fill the void in our hearts by

developing a loving relationship with God. Class begins each Wednesday evening @ 6:30 p.m. Please contact the Prattville Church of Christ office, 344 East Main St. in Prattville (334-365-4201), for additional information. Depression & Bipolar Support, Montgomery Public Library Main Branch, 245 High Street downtown, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 3rd Saturdays, Noon-2 p.m.; OR 1609 West Street, north off Carter Hill and Narrow Lane, 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 201-9638 or 652-1431 for more info. Gluten Intolerance Group (www.gluten.net) is a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide support to those with any form of gluten intolerance. Guidelines are provided on how to eat safely both at home and eating out. Another objective is to facilitate more effective communication between the local gluten-free community and stores, restaurants and the medical community. Meets 2nd Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., at Taylor Road Baptist Church, Fellowship Suite (Turn on Berryhill Rd. by EastChase). Check the blog for special “alternate site” meetings (www.glutenfreemontgomery.blogspot.com) For more info, you may also e-mail dr.hetrick@charter.net or visit the group’s Facebook page.

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Montgomery Area Mended Hearts, First floor of Montgomery Cardiovascular Institute on the campus of Baptist Medical Center South. For anyone who has experienced cardiac illness. Third Mondays, alternates between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call 286-3410 for more info. NAMI Montgomery (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) provides understanding, education and information to family members and friends of those who suffer mental illness. The NAMI Montgomery Family Member Support Group meets second Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in room 3103 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Call Mary Jo Logan (2712280) for details. OCD Support Group (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) Long showers, multiple hand-washing, rituals, checking the stove, hoarding and symmetry. This support group is open to anyone who has struggled with OCD. You’re not alone anymore. Meetings are held at 5500 Ash Grove Circle, Montgomery. Call Donald at 220-7555 for more info. Overeaters Anonymous, Unity of Montgomery, 1922 Walnut St., Saturdays from 3-4 p.m. Contact Misty at 3249568 or Carol at 467-5742.

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Parkinson’s Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, meets on 4th Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Room 8114. Group is for Parkinson’s patients and their family members. For more info, call 272-8622.

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Traumatic Brain Injury Support, cafeteria at HealthSouth on Narrow Lane in Montgomery. 2nd Thursdays at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Alabama Head Injury Foundation for anyone with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or related disability. For more info, contact Holli at (334) 2900646 or e-mail: ahif_montgomery_auburn@yahoo.com. Visit www.ahif.org.

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Veterans OEF/OIF Caregivers Support Group meets 3rd Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 3108 at Frazer Memorial UMC. This group provides support and understanding to those caring for OEF/ OIF Veterans. For more info, contact LaQuana Edwards, Caregiver Support Coordinator at CAVHCS, (334) 727-0550 ext. 5350.

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D.A.D.S. (Dad and Daughter Saturdays) Second Saturdays at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Library in downtown Montgomery at 11 a.m. D.A.D.S. gives fathers and daughters an opportunity to read together to create fun, educational memories. This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Montgomery City-County Public Library and Dreamland Barbeque. For more info, call Ron Simmons at (334) 777-8596. La Leche League of Montgomery Area has served local mothers since 1984. Women who are pregnant, interested in breastfeeding and nursing mothers are invited to attend

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Calendar/Support Groups our free mother-to-mother support meetings or e-mail with breastfeeding questions. Join us with your babies. Children of all ages are welcome. We currently have morning and evening meetings. For more info, e-mail LLL.Montgomery.AL@gmail.com or visit http://www.llli.org/groups/@ llli*group*montgomery or “like” us on Facebook. Mom2Mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of children ages birth-5 years at Frazer United Methodist Church to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. E-mail Mom2mom@frazerumc. org for more information. Moms’ LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) First Baptist Church, Prattville. Meets twice monthly from 8:30-11:45 a.m. in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Prattville August through May. For moms of all stages and ages of life. We offer a time of fellowship,

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“Take Heart,” Room 116 at Eastmont Baptist Church, first Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. Support group for women dealing with infertility and/or miscarriage. Contact Melissa at (205) 913-2667 for more information.

Single Parents Support

Single Moms Support Group, Landmark Church of Christ, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in Classroom 118. For more information call 277-5800.

Singles’ Small Groups, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info.

Sav-A-Life conducts a HOPE GROUP for women who have experienced the emotional aftermath of an abortion. Groups meet eight consecutive Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. and are facilitated by women who have experienced abortion. The “Forgiven and Set Free” Bible study is used. Confidientiality is assured. Please call Kathy at 260-8010.

Single Moms’ Care and Support Group, Perry Hill United Methodist Church, 910 Perry Hill Road (corner of Perry Hill and Harrison Roads). Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15-8 p.m. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants-16 years. Call 272-3174 for more info.

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for women dealing with pregnancy loss/infertility issues. Call (334) 365-5977.

Bible study, musical guests, special guest speakers and a lot of fun! Cost is $5 per meeting. Childcare provided by reservation. For more info and to reserve your spot, call Kelley Manning at 361-7919. The Montgomery Multiples Club is a non-profit organization offering support to the mothers and families of twins, triplets, and more in the Central Alabama region. They have a mom’s night out with dinner once a month. They also have a yard sale twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall. For more info, visit https://sites.google.com/site/montgomerymultiples/home. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:3011:30 a.m., September through May. Moms, need a little break? We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Visit www. montgomeryfbc.org/MOPS or contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Are you in need of a time-out? MOPS joins mothers together by a common bond, to be better wives, moms and friends along this journey in the trenches of motherhood. Childcare is provided. For more info, e-mail VFCMOPS@gmail.com. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Redland Baptist Church in Wetumpka. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. during the school year. We also have scheduled play dates and mom’s nights out. Moms get together to share food, laugh, and hear inspiring speakers. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. For more info, call (334) 567-8649 or visit www.mops.org/redlandmops.

Pregnancy Loss/Infertility

Hannah’s Prayer, Prattville First United Methodist Church, 2nd Thursdays and 3rd Sundays. Support group

SWAK (Single with Amazing Kids), Maxwell / Maxwell Gunter AFB. This network is connecting and empowering single parents and their families through information, encouragement, and many family-oriented events throughout the year. We meet the last Wednesday or Thursday of each month. For more info, e-mail t2763@aol. com. Join us on Facebook for daily restaurant specials, area kid-friendly events, and tips/ideas for families on a budget. TNT (Tuesday Night Together) for Singles, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Bldg. 7000. A meal ($5) and program are provided. For reservations, call 272-8622.

Special Needs Support

Alabama Angels Pageant, a nonprofit pageant for males and females of any age with special needs. Participation is free. 2016 pageant date TBA. Visit www. alabamaangels.org and look for us on Facebook! Central Alabama Autism Support Team (C.A.A.S.T.), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Hwy. 31 in Prattville from 6-8 p.m. 3rd Thursdays quarterly (Feb., May, Aug., Nov.). Visit www.easysite.com/caast or e-mail casst50@yahoo. com for more info. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach, Vaughn Park Church of Christ, 2nd Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare provided. Visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com or visit our Facebook page (MADSOG) for more information. Contact MADSOG at montgomeryareadownsyndrome@gmail.com for more info. Montgomery Area Hearing Loss Support Group meets monthly at the Wesley Building of the First Methodist Church in Montgomery on 2nd Thursdays at 4 p.m. It is affiliated with the nationally recognized non-profit advocacy group, Hearing Loss Association of America. The purpose is to bring together all adults and parents of children who would like to know more about hearing losses, its causes and its possible corrections. Refreshments at each meeting. For more info, contact HearingInfo@earthlink.net.

July2016 River Region Autism Support Group, Cafe Louisa (in Old Cloverdale), 1036 E. Fairview Ave. We meet on 1st Saturdays from 4-6 p.m. This group is comprised of parents whose children are on the autism spectrum. We also welcome others involved with autistic children, such as grandparents, friends, teachers, therapists, etc. For more info, e-mail LyraStephens@yahoo.com. Special Needs Skate, Looney’s Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. in Montgomery. 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. 5:30-7:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5 admission. For more info, e-mail Lyrastephens@yahoo.com.

Teens/Families Support

Life is Fun Together (LIFT): A FREE program through Family Guidance Center of Alabama and a partnership with the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Initiative (AHMREI). LIFT provides relationship and marriage education and real-world skills through fun, distinctive workshops, information & referral services, ongoing support, and the LIFT library. Singles, non-married parents, stepfamilies, premarital couples, and married couples can all enjoy the benefits of LIFT workshops: ELEVATE blends 7 practical skills with an understanding of the physiology of human interaction (the heart-brain-behavior connection). Couples can get skills to help manage stress and reduce conflict. Learn how to relax, get to know each other more deeply, and make your relationship something you look forward to every day! Contact Tonya at 270-4100, trogers@familyguidancecenter. org, or www.familyguidancecenter.org today! In Relationship Smarts (RS+), participants learn what true love really is, the role of “brain chemicals,” how to build healthy relationships, how to handle breakups, the “red flags” to domestic violence, relationship skills, and so much more. Written for 9th through 12th graders, RS+ is a solid, basic curriculum for adults too. Contact Tonya at 270-4100, trogers@familyguidancecenter.org, or www. familyguidancecenter.org today! Date Nights! is a program for couples that are in committed relationships. Using the Basic Training curriculum, participants get the unique opportunity to enjoy a date together at a local restaurant- ON US! Topics include benefits of a healthy marriage, communication, surrender, problem-solving as a team, and intimacy. Contact Tonya at 270-4100, trogers@familyguidancecenter.org, or www. familyguidancecenter.org today! How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (or Jerkette) is a great program for singles and daters. Participants learn the technical definition of a “jerk” and how to spot one, how to build a healthy relationship, and the five things to know in order to be able to predict what someone would be like in marriage. Contact Tonya at 270-4100, trogers@ familyguidancecenter.org, or www.familyguidancecenter. org today! For Couples Only is a must-have for any couple in any stage of their relationship. Using the Mastering the Mysteries of Love curriculum, couples go through intensive training in communication, conflict management, and problem-solving. Contact Tonya at 270-4100, trogers@ familyguidancecenter.org, or www.familyguidancecenter. org today! Smart Steps for Stepfamilies was created for couples where at least one partner is not the biological parent of at least one child in the family. This curriculum is useful for all stepfamily couples regardless of whether the couple is married. A children’s component is often available. Contact Tonya Rogers at 270-4100, trogers@ familyguidancecenter.org, or www.familyguidancecenter. org today! Support Group for Teens with difficulties communicating with parents and friends. Contact Felicia Pressley at Pressley Counseling by leaving a message at (334) 625-0159.

Please send calendar info to editor@montgomeryparents.com. www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents

Business Card Directory

Fall Registration August 8 & 9 from 4-7 pm

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Fir Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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AdvertiserDirectory We know that readers consider our advertisers as valuable a resource as the editorial content in Montgomery Parents. We hope this directory saves you time as you refer to the magazine throughout the month. Page numbers follow the advertiser’s name.

First UMC, Prattville, 38

My Kids Attic, The Shoppes of, 27

Fleming’s Martial Arts, 66

New Park, 13

Frazer Memorial Christian Kindergarten, 35

OB/GYN Montgomery, Dr. Desautels, 23

Frazer Memorial UMC, 14

O’Connor Tennis Lessons, 49

Go Karting Montgomery, 62

Pediatric Nephrology of Alabama, 64

AL Dept. of Public Health, Inside Front

Grand Reserve at Pike Road, 79

Professional Pediatrics, 12

Alabama Dance Theatre, 33

Health Services, Inc., 4

Pump It Up Party, 65

Alabama Partnership with Children, 69

Holy Cross Episcopal School, 36

P’zazz Art Studio, 60

Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 76

Hooper Academy, 38

River and Blues Festival, 28

Armory Athletics, 49

Hudson Huffman, 90

Rvier Region Straw, 33

ASKIN/Synergy House, 90

Huntingdon Basketball Camps, 29

Riverview Camp for Girls, 63

Assurance Driving & Traffic Safety Ctr, 35

Inflatables of Montgomery, 59

R.O.C.K., 77

AUM Early Childhood Center, 68

Interscapes, Inc., 8

Rockin’ Jump, 55

Baptist Health, 23

Jackson Hospital, 71

Rolling Video Games of AL, 65

Beth’s Heirloom Sewing, 25

Kingry Orthodontics, 83

Saint James School, 1

Bradford Health Services, 56

Kumon, 41

Shade Tree Riding Stables, 19

Bricks 4 Kids, 90

Laura’s School of Dance, 25

Smiles Galore Parties, 64

Chapman Orthodontics, 28

Learning Tree Child Care, 81

Spacewalker, The, 67

Children’s Hospital of Alabama, 21

Legacy Early Learning Center, 20

Spotless Cleaning Services, 11

Churchill Academy, 26, 40

Lori Mercer Photography, 67

Success Unlimited Academy, 30, 39

Dance Generation, 22

Macon East Academy, 15

Sylvan Learning Center, 18

Dentistry for Children, 37

MANE, 20

Taylor Road Baptist Church, 22

Dr. Kendall Dunn-Orthodontist, 42

Mathnasium, 74

The Montgomery Academy, Back Cover

Dynamite Magic & Balloons, 66

Memorial Presbyterian Childcare, 37

Tonya Speed Dance Connection, 90

E & S Hobbies, 90

Montessori Academy, 75

Tooth Buds, 61

Eastdale Mall, 43

Montessori @ Mulberry, 17

Trinity Presbyterian School, 7, 45

Eastern Oaks Church, 51

Montgomery Catholic Schools, 9

Edward Jones-Lane Easterling, 42

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 83

Evangel Christian Academy, 23

Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry/Ortho, 73

Evangel Church, 18

Montgomery Uniforms Plus, 31

First UMC, Montgomery, 85

Mrs. Sandy’s House, 90

Adventure Sports II, 62 Alabama Christian Academy, 53, Inside Back

Tru-Cut Lawn Care, 79 Vaughn Park Mom’s Day Out, 29 Vaughn Road Preschool, 32 Vishnu Dental, 19 Walnut Hill Party Venue, 60 www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents

Independence Day: Resurgence

Finding Dory MPAA Rating: PG Overall: A Violence: B+ Sexual Content: ALanguage: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated Finding Dory PG for mild thematic elements. Picking up where Finding Nemo left off, Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks), his son Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence) and their good-butforgetful-friend Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres) are happily settled in the clown fishes’ coral reef. Then a discussion about aquatic animals migrating home suddenly reminds the blue tang fish that she once had a family. Eager not to let the memory slip away, Dory determines to search for her mother and father (voices of Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy). Although she usually doesn’t remember important things, Dory knows she will need someone to go with her so she can stay focused on her quest. Reluctantly the risk-adverse Marlin and the naïvely-optimistic Nemo agree to accompany her. With only a cloudy clue about a California location, the trio crosses the ocean. However, once within the shadow of their destination (which turns out to be an aquarium for injured and/or endangered marine life), Dory’s reckless enthusiasm, coupled with her memory lapses, soon separates the group. And that leaves the father and son desperately trying to find Dory, while she distractedly seeks the whereabouts of her parents. Both hijinks and peril ensue as the befuddled Dory evades predators, swims in and out of trouble, and befriends an octopus named Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill) who is on the run from the Institute’s staff. While the danger never seems too intense, the many times the tang fish gets lost and is left all alone may generate some emotional distress for young audience members – especially if any of them have ever had the misfortune of misplacing their caregivers. Yet in true Disney/Pixar style, this animation offers an amazing visual feast, along with a plot full of food for thought. Using Dory’s short term memory loss as a spring board, the script explores learning disorders and other types of challenges. While her friends and some strangers aren’t always as patient with her shortcomings as they could be, the feisty fish’s determination in the face of obstacles soon solicits their sympathy. Meanwhile, her disability becomes a motivation for her to find other hidden abilities. Her example is an inspiration to all, because everyone comes with faults and failings – including many of the other depicted characters. The trick is to learn how to have our strengths compensate for our weaknesses, while in the process remembering to show kindness and understanding to those who have imperfections different from our own. With a minimum of content issues and plenty of creative humor, this powerful message, plus themes of teamwork and the importance of friends and family, are sure to make Finding Dory unforgettable.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: CSexual Content: B Language: CAlcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated Independence Day: Resurgence PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and destruction, and for some language. Since that fateful Independence Day in 1996, all of mankind has determined to work together in peace to defend the world from another extra-terrestrial attack. This effort has resulted in the development of a highly complex defense system that utilizes alien technologies secured from the past onslaught along with the latest in human ingenuity. Within the first fifteen minutes the screenplay sets the stage for the least surprising moment in movie history: The arrival of the aliens. The puny little Earthlings quickly discover their fancy fission cannons and laser blasters are no match for the bigger, better and badder invaders from outer space. Attempting to compensate for the obvious absence of Will Smith returning to play Captain Hiller, writer/director Roland Emmerich (who created the first film) introduces Dylan Hiller (Jessie T. Usher) as the son of the ultimate little green man killer. As well, Emmerich places a variety of visual reminders of the past plot in the background of scenes, including a massive portrait of Smith’s character in the White House. Other members of the “old boys club” include Jeff Goldblum reprising his role as alien expert Dr. Levinson and Judd Hirsch playing his pragmatic father. President Whitmore’s term in office expired long ago, but he and Dr. Brakish Okun (literally brought back to life by Bill Pullman and Brent Spiner) offer wisdom and unique insights to a younger generation about to come face-to-face with this old enemy. The original Independence Day is often credited as setting a new template that dozens of other Hollywood movies would follow. Instead of renewing the genre, this follow-up veers dangerously close to becoming a spoof of its predecessor. Clichés and poor effects-laden images (like the nation’s capital being nearly bulldozed while the Stars and Stripes manages to stand firm) unintentionally left me feeling more like laughing than running for cover. The good news for parents concerned about violence is that there are few detailed depictions of injuries, despite thousands of implied deaths during air attacks, bomb blasts and flying debris. On the other hand, the aliens are graphically and ghoulishly portrayed, especially in sequences that show their demise complete with gallons of goo. The script also offers a generous collection of scatological terms, mild curses, Christian expletive and a crude finger gesture. What Parents need to know about Independence Day: Resurgence... Violence: All of mankind is in danger from space invaders. The aliens are portrayed as ugly monsters with no redeeming qualities – their deaths are graphically depicted with grotesque images and abundant body fluids. Humans engage the enemy with gun battles, dogfights, large scale weapons and hand to hand confrontations were machetes use and choking are shown. Numerous deaths are implied along with massive property destruction and enormous explosions. The skulls of dead aliens are seen, along with some human corpses and taxidermy animals. The deaths of family members and loved ones are discussed or shown. Feelings of revenge are expressed. Sexual Content: Mild sexual innuendo. A character is shown urinating. Characters embracing and kiss. Language: Frequent mild and moderate profanity, scatological slang and terms of deity used as expletives. A crude sexual finger gesture is shown. Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters get drunk.

What Parents need to know about Finding Dory... Violence: A character constantly forgets things and gets lost, which makes her feel frightened and alone. Other characters occasionally become impatient with her memory problem. Characters are frequently in mildly perilous situations, which include being captured and trapped, touched by unfriendly hands and chased by predators. Vehicles are driven recklessly and a truck is destroyed. A cunning character escapes from his exhibit and uses creative measures to avoid being caught. Some mild bullying is depicted. Slapstick antics are plentiful. Characters grieve over the loss of loved ones. Sexual Content: The script contains some mild sexual innuendo and infrequent bathroom humor. A slang word for a body part is used. Language: Some mild name-calling occurs. Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted. Other: Several characters have handicaps or impaired abilities that present challenges for them. Montgomery Parents I July 2016

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C O L L E G E

A C C E P T A N C E S

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86% of the 69 member Class of 2016 received merit-based scholarships totaling over $9.5 million. WITH A REMARKABLE EDUCATION, THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS. Members of the Class of 2016 were admitted to these colleges and universities.

Arizona State University

Loyola University New Orleans

University of Arkansas

Auburn University

Millsaps College

University of California, Berkeley

Auburn University at Montgomery

Mississippi State University

University of California, Los Angeles

Belhaven University

North Carolina State University

University of Denver

Belmont University

Northwestern University

University of Florida

Berry College

Ohio State University

University of Georgia

Birmingham-Southern College

Oklahoma State University

Centre College

Pace University

University of Illinois at Urbana– Champaign

Clemson University

Pepperdine University

College of Charleston

Prairie View A&M University

College of William & Mary

Purdue University

Eckerd College

Rhodes College

Emory University

Samford University

Faulkner University

Sewanee: The University of the South

Florida State University

University of Kentucky University of Massachusetts Boston University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of Montevallo University of North Carolina at Asheville

Southern Methodist University

Furman University

University of Pittsburgh

Spelman College

George Mason University

University of Richmond

Spring Hill College

Georgia Institute of Technology

University of St. Andrews

St. John’s University

Hampden-Sydney College

University of South Alabama

Syracuse University

Hampton University

University of South Carolina

Texas A&M University

Harding University

University of South Florida

Texas Christian University

Hillsdale College

University of Virginia

Troy University

Hofstra University

University of West Florida

Tulane University

Hollins University

Vanderbilt University

United States Air Force Academy

Howard University

Washington & Lee University

United States Military Academy

Huntingdon College Indiana University Bloomington Jacksonville State University

Washington University in St. Louis

United States Naval Academy

Westmont College

University of Alabama

Wofford College

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Kenyon College Lee University

Xavier University of Louisiana

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Louisiana State University

Th e M o n t g o m e r y A c a d e m y T h e

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Contact Susannah Cleveland, Director of Admissions admissions@montgomeryacademy.org • 334.272.8210 Financial Aid Available

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M ON T G OM E RYAC A DE M Y. O R G

The Academy admits students of every color, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.